Money Will Be Used to Create Underwater Robotics Program
“I am so excited to have this opportunity and bring this experience to Cardinal Middle School students.” – Christine Schroeter
An underwater robotics program is ready for launch at Cardinal Middle School thanks to an $890 STEM grant from FirstEnergy.
The money will be used to purchase equipment to construct four underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
In addition to the FirstEnergy grant money, the East Geauga Kiwanis Club donated funds for underwater wireless cameras for each ROV.
“I am so excited to have this opportunity and bring this experience to Cardinal Middle School students,” said CMS paraprofessional Christine Schroeter, the grant recipient.
“The ROVs that we will be constructing are actually part of the SeaPerch program, which will provide students with the opportunity to learn about those STEM components of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but not only that, this will also encourage them to explore naval architecture and marine and ocean engineering principles and careers,” Schroeter explained.
A lieutenant with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps of the Akron Battalion, Schroeter is a nationally certified SeaPerch ROV trainer and has provided training to members of the military across the globe.
In addition to her expertise, an electrical engineer, a science teacher, a math teacher and two community members will join her to assist students with their construction.
In order to be considered for the underwater robotics program, students had to submit an application, teacher references and an essay on why they had an interest in the project.
The group will meet for two hours once a week to learn about and assemble the ROVs, with a goal to have the underwater crafts completed by spring 2018.
“We have a lot of intense work to do, but I think we have a great group of students and volunteers assembled, and I’m confident that these ROVs will come together as expected,” Schroeter said.
Upon completion of the build, students will partner with Geauga Park District to deploy the ROVs to provide underwater surveillance and water quality sampling in the district’s lakes and rivers.
“FirstEnergy has always supported educational activities in communities served by The Illuminating Company, particularly those that encourage students to pursue careers in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Dave Dillon, external affairs manager with The Illuminating Company. “We are pleased to assist with STEM projects which support our students, schools and educators as they work to build our region’s future workforce.”
