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Gary’s own Thea Bowman Elementary School scholars are celebrating a first and second place victory in the MATE/STEMNASIUM Circle City Regional Underwater Robotics Competition.

The competition required that scholars use skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to develop and prototype underwater robotic solutions to solve real-world marine technical problems. The scholars also had to use leadership skills to form a company and present their idea as a viable solution. In their first year competing against students across the region, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy scholars came out on top with first place in Vehicle Performance and second place in Product Presentation.

“I am so proud of our scholars,” said Thea Bowman Elementary School Principal, Mrs. Simmons. “This was their first year being a part of the competition. They only had about four weeks to build their robot from the ground up. They worked so hard on weekends and on their off days. They got the job done.”

MATE’s international student underwater robotics (remotely operated vehicle or ROV) competition consists of an international event and a network of 36 regional contests that take place across the United States and in Canada, Hong Kong, Scotland, Egypt, China, Russia, Turkey, and Bermuda. Student teams from upper elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, home schools, community colleges, universities, and community organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club and 4-H, participate.

The elementary team will now go on to present their viable solution in the 2019 MATE International ROV Competition in June in Kingsport, Tennessee with other scholars from around the globe.