2017 MATE Workshops
Please double check the dates, we have had to make some last minute adjustments to our summer offerings.
The goal of MATE’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle) Summer Institutes are to use underwater robots as a way to empower faculty to teach students the practical applications of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and, in this way, prepare students for careers in the STEM workforce.
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is a tethered underwater robot. ROVs are used in the offshore oil and gas industry, scientific research, undersea exploration, search and recovery, underwater construction, and homeland security.
The MATE ROV Summer Institutes provide a forum for educators, especially those interested in participating in future ROV competitions organized by the MATE Center and the Marine Technology Society (MTS) ROV Committee, to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to implement ROV design and building curriculum in their classrooms; gain exposure to and develop an understanding of the type of work that ROV technicians and engineers do and the technologies they use; and learn about the many career opportunities available in the marine technology field.
During the ROV institutes participants build a small-scale, fully functional ROV that can be
replicated with their students; use the vehicle to complete a set of pre-determined mission tasks; and acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively mentor students in designing and building an ROV to participate in future MATE competitions. Participants also interact with ocean engineers, ROV pilots, and marine technicians to understand the work they do and the technologies they use as well as make connections with educators with similar interests and share best practices in teaching and instruction.
1. Online Workshop: Diving into underwater Sensors and Arduino
DATES: 2018, Dates to be determined.
LOCATION: Online, Internet connection required.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the Arduino microcontroller, computer processing, and basic sensors used in the underwater environment. This course consists of 10 modules that are each approximately three hours in length. The modules include videos, lab activities, and quizzes. A discussion board is used to address questions and share participant comments. This course is self-paced; participants can work through one - two modules per week or work through all of the modules one week. Click here to view the course outline.
COST: TBD Included in the price of the course is an Arduino, all the sensors needed for the modules, a Arduino resource book and instruction. Participants will need to provide their own soldering iron, solder, wire strippers and wire cutters.
WHO SHOULD APPLY: Educators who have experience building simple switch box ROV controllers or educators who have a background teaching robotics, electronics, physics, or a related discipline.
APPLICATION:
2. Underwater robotics and Engineering Design: INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
DATES: July 9-15, 2017. Sunday July 9th and Saturday July 15th are travel days. There will be 5 full days of instruction. THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
LOCATION: Monterey, Calfornia
DESCRIPTION: A key outcome of this workshop is focused on how to teach the engineering design process using underwater robotics. Participants learn the fundamentals of basic ROV building and experience a variety of hands-on science, technology, and engineering design activities that can be integrated into a class or after school activity to reinforce foundational knowledge and skills. Upon completion of the workshop, all participants should feel confident to lead an engineering design activity focused on ROV building using the PufferFish ROV Kit or comparable parts and components.
- Workshop Objectives: (See SCOUT objectives, some NAVIGATOR objectives will be covered too.)
- Example ROV Workshop Agenda (the 2017 workshop will be similar)
- Example ROV Workshop Curriculum (the 2017 workshop will be similar)
- Additional information: PufferFish curriculum and kits
WHO SHOULD APPLY: Educators who have had introductory exposure to ROV activities and have a background teaching science, technology, engineering, or math. Activities presented in this workshop are appropriate for students in 5-10th grade or within an afterschool club or activity. All faculty attending should have concrete plans to implement these activities in the following academic year. If you are new to ROV building and unable to commit to implementing this activities during the next academic year, we recommend that you attend one of our regional short workshops (3 hours to 2 days). See if a regional workshop is being offered near you. If you can't find anything near you, please complete the contact form and ask for information on a workshop near you.
COST: The majority of the costs will be covered by the MATE Center’s grant from the National Science Foundation. A materials fee will be charged and in return for that fee participants will receive tools and ROV kit(s). It is expected that participants will implement these activities into their courses, clubs, or afterschool activities in the following year.
APPLICATIONS: We are accepting applications for the waiting list. Fill out an Application.
3. Underwater robotics and Engineering Design: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
DATES: July 9-15, 2017. THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
LOCATION: Monterey, California
DESCRIPTION: A key outcome of this workshop is focused on how to teach the engineering design process using underwater robotics as the platform. This workshop introduces participants to bi-directional motor speed control using motor controllers and joysticks. Additional topics include: vector frame design, buoyancy and ballast systems, video systems and hydraulic tools.
Additional information:
- Sample Agenda (2017 will be similar and cover camera systems.)
- Detailed learning objectives. (See SCOUT, NAVIGATOR and RANGER Class (except those pertaining to mircrocontrollers)
- Example workshop curriculum.
WHO SHOULD APPLY: Educators who have experience building simple switch box ROV controllers or faculty who have a background teaching robotics, electronics, physics, or a related discipline. All faculty attending should have concrete plans to implement these activities in the following academic year. If you are new to ROV building, we recommend that you attend one of our regional short workshops (3 hours to 2 days); if you don't see one near you, please complete the contact form and ask for information on a workshop near you.
COST: The MATE Center’s grant from the National Science Foundation provides 6 nights lodging (double occupancy) and half of the meals (~$1,200 value) plus excellent instruction. Transportation is the responsibility of the participant (stipends are available for participants who have more than $400 of transportation expenses and work with underserved audiences). It is expected that participants will implement these activities into their courses, clubs, or afterschool activities in the following year. To ensure participant success, there is a $700 materials fee. For this fee, participants return to their school or organization with a TriggerFish ROV Kit and an underwater video system.
APPLICATION: We are accepting applications for our waiting list. Fill out an Application.
