ROVing the Gulf

• Grades 5th–12th
• Length: 3.5 hours
• Type: Lab & Field Activity
• Alabama Course of Study

Students design, build and fly their own unique remotely operated vehicle (ROV). As they do, they explore buoyancy and hydrodynamics, and apply the engineering design process, learning to work as teams and rise to challenges as their ROVs carry out missions. The educator shares local and global examples of ROV use in underwater research, exploration, and industry.

Students will learn the topics of pressure and buoyancy. They will gain the understanding of the unique challenges presented by the underwater environment. Students will be able to build a fully functional small scale ROV.

Keywords to review: Submersible, Buoyancy, Bathymetry