Agenda Session

Exposure to Marine Robotics technology in STEM Education grows the Blue Economy

Throughout history, technology has been a major driver of the ocean economy. In the modern era, our reliance on oceans, lakes, and streams has only intensified, placing the blue economy center stage in terms of climate adaptation and economic growth.

Blue Robotics is playing a pivotal role in developing the new blue economy by providing a variety of high quality marine technology components to educational and research institutions at affordable prices, enabling innovation in STEM education and scientific study with a marine focus. 

Today’s talk features “BlueSTEAM Ahead!”, our initiative to bring ocean technology into classrooms around the world. By exposing students to the vast opportunities within the blue economy, we are creating a pipeline of energized, young professionals ready to contribute. Our commitment to education and workforce development through “BlueSTEAM Ahead!” endeavors to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the skills and enthusiasm needed to navigate and thrive in the evolving blue economy.

This presentation will delve into the specifics of “BlueSTEAM Ahead!”, demonstrating how we can inspire and prepare students for future careers in marine technology and the broader blue economy.

Marine Technology exposure in STEM Education grows the pool of Blue Economy job candidates, and opens new opportunities.

Expanding the use of marine technology in STEM Education will help fill the pool of candidates for technical jobs in the Blue Economy. It will also create new STEM career opportunities, especially in Science, Technology, and Engineering.

Business Case:

There are growing opportunities in the understanding, use, and management of the marine environment (e.g., aquaculture, energy production, conservation, etc.). Marine Technology supports this growth and enables the further expansion of new job opportunities in the Blue Economy through the creation of new ways to explore and measure the environment. There is a shortage of qualified engineers (esp. U.S. citizens for DoD and other government work) to fulfill the demand of current job opportunities. 

Science benefits from more exposure to technology (expands the possibilities for observation, data and sample collection, monitoring, and experimentation). Technology is the way science is done, so advances in technology enable advances in science.

Marine technology lights up STEM students. It’s interesting, fun, and accessible. Robotics are hot in education, and many schools have land robotics or aerial drones. We think there’s an appeal to marine robotics wherever there is water. And the earlier we expose students, the more likely it is to help guide them toward a career.

• Science (Environmental Studies, Marine Bio.): ROVs and USVs as platforms for observation and experimentation
  • Using video and AI for species identification and population counts
  • Submersible or weatherproof sensor kits for data collection and analysis
  • Manipulators and sediment samplers for subject collection and analysis
  • Subsea and surface videography, photography and photogrammetry
  • Sonar for bottom surveying and mapping
  • Community projects (e.g., coastal cleanups)
• Technology, Engineering: Marine Robotics is a fun, accessible way for students to develop engineering skills (transferable to any educational or career path, but especially marine).
  • Software (vehicle control, video streaming, UI, data processing, photogrammetry)
  • Mechanical (2D and 3D CAD, 3D printing vehicle parts)
  • Electrical (PCB design, power management, sensor integration)
  • Operation and Support (pilots, topside engineers, and technicians)
• Art
  • Videography, photography, storytelling
• Math:
  • Data visualization and analysis
• Soft Skills
  • Teamwork, communication, and leadership

Our Solution:

“BlueSTEAM Ahead!”, Blue Robotics new STEM Education initiative (a BlueROV2 or BlueBoat in every school). Initial targets are high schools, but we plan to expand into middle school and community colleges.

• Mission: Attract more students to STEM through Marine Robotics
  • Oceans, rivers, lakes, and dams offer excellent educational opportunities
  • Experiential learning is more engaging
  • Exposure to technology is a distinguishing student credential
• Expanding the use of Marine Tech beyond the Robotics Club
  • Enable schools to incorporate marine robotics into their STEAM curriculum
    • Helping existing marine robotics programs
    • Helping start up new marine robotics programs
    • Supporting science educators who are investing in technology
  • Recruit robotics clubs to build, support, and maintain the technology
  • Foster Collaboration between Robotics Clubs and STEM Classrooms
• Blue Robotics STEM Education Packages will include:
  • Discounted vehicles and accessories
  • Science and Robotics Curricula
  • Guides for using marine technology in the STEM classroom
  • Links to marine robotics and technology projects
  • Remote access to ROV demonstrations via the Internet
  • Catalog of grants and other funding sources
  • Connection to the BR community

Benefits:

Contributes to the achievement of Workforce Development objectives:

• Focus on Marine Tech will expose and attract more educators and students to further educational and career opportunities in STEM
• Increasing the number of STEM students in general will help expand the pool of candidates for Marine Tech related careers
• Never offered, never considered
• Training more students in marine technology to meet the growing demand for a skilled workforce
• Getting more students into marine technology will lead to more applications and accelerate the growth of job opportunities in the Blue Economy

Calls to Action:

• Become a marine robotics mentor (or recruit one).
• Start a new marine robotics club (or introduce marine robotics to your existing club).
• Buy a BlueROV2 for your robotics club or science class to build.
• Bring all your ROVs to school for “show and tell”.
• Promote marine robotics at STEAM Expos.
• Mentor students in collaboration between science and robotics classrooms.
• Let’s form a BlueSTEAM Ahead Mentor Corps!