Pupils from nine local primary schools are getting ready to showcase their creativity, teamwork and engineering skills in a hands-on robotics competition that’s making waves in STEM education.
The SeaPerch for Primaries competition, taking place on Friday 14 November, will see students navigate their remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) through a series of underwater challenges. The ROVs have been designed and built by the pupils themselves, with guidance from Ports of Jersey’s dedicated engineering mentors who have supported them throughout the project.
SeaPerch is a hands-on STEM programme that introduces children to the world of engineering and robotics. Through the process of building and testing their own ROVs, pupils develop key skills in teamwork, innovation and critical thinking, laying the foundations for future careers in engineering and technology.
Matt Thomas, Ports of Jersey CEO, said: “SeaPerch is a fantastic way to get children excited about engineering. Today is National Engineering Day, which is as a timely reminder of how important it is to nurture young talent and show them the possibilities of a future in STEM. It’s not just about building robots, it’s about learning how to think like an engineer, work as a team, and solve real-world challenges.”
Debbie Buesnel, teacher at Grouville School, said: “Taking part in SeaPerch has been a brilliant experience for our Year 6 team. They’ve learned so much, not just about engineering, but about teamwork, creative thinking, and problem-solving. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they built and tested their ROVs, and they’re really excited about taking part in the competition.”