Teacher at Sea Alumni Association Donate

Build · Test · Explore

Project ROVe

Remotely Operated Vehicle Education — Teacher at Sea alumni design and build ROVs they bring back to their classrooms, with support from the alumni network.

Why ROVs

Engineering you can drop in a pond.

Integrating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) into STEM coursework provides a truly transdisciplinary way to engage students in meaningful learning.

From simple coat hanger ROVs to more sophisticated designs with multiple sensors, learning through ROVs engages students in the skills, behaviors, and powerful learning experiences they will need to face the global challenges of the 21st century.

STEM technologies are constantly changing. When we build capacity in our teachers, they gain the skills and confidence to bring new topics of study—like ROVs—to their students, having an impact on generations to come.

ROVs can be ideal vehicles for engaging students in real-world problem solving. Designing and building ROVs requires students to experiment, innovate, collaborate, think critically, and reflect—the skills we want to develop in our leaders of tomorrow.

Where can ROVs take you and your students? The possibilities are endless! ROVs connect educators and students to cutting edge innovation. Famously, they allow exploration of areas that are too deep for humans to safely dive. ROVs are used for search and rescue missions, aquaculture, shipping, inspection of underwater infrastructure, and more.

ROVs are also a tool for students to explore their own interests and push their boundaries as they prepare themselves for the careers of today and the future.

Cohort voices

From the ROVe alumni.

  • "I love being a student myself, learning new things, exploring new avenues of how to bring science technology back into the classroom… In 2016, I started trying to figure out how to build these [ROVs]. I had no idea how to do this. Over the years I've been just struggling, trying to find different parts, different programs, a way to afford it… When this project was announced… I immediately hopped on it and it has been absolutely fascinating. It's been a huge help and instrumental in trying to move my project forward."

    — Tom Savage, TAS 2018

  • "It's great being able to spend time with other teachers who have a passion for similar things… especially this group, because we've all shared the Teacher at Sea experience, and so we have that camaraderie already built in. Then you bring people from all over the country to do something that they like, and they want to bring it back and engage their students — it's just a fabulous experience."

    — Jeff Miller, TAS 2015

  • "When I was first introduced to ROVs, probably five or six years ago, I thought… 'Oh, my gosh, this would just be amazing.' And then as I started to read, I just got completely overwhelmed and felt like there's no way. I can't. I don't have the electronics background, I don't have the mechanical background, I'm not an engineer… And so when this opportunity came around, the chance to do ROVs as a cohort to work through this together, and to be led, I thought, 'Okay, here's my chance, I'm gonna try this.'"

    — Lisa Battig, TAS 2017

Learn more

Interested in Project ROVe?

Project ROVe is open to NOAA Teacher at Sea alumni. Reach out to the TASAA team for current cohort openings, workshop schedules, and how to bring ROVs into your classroom.

Contact TASAA