Northwest Florida SEAPERCH Competition

Photography By Rick Cooper

Students from 31 schools competed in the inaugural Northwest Florida SeaPerch competition held at Gulf Coast State College May 6. Students built robotic vehicles made to compete in several water challenges using kits supplied by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The 296 students who competed consisted of fourth and fifth graders as well as junior and senior high school students. “I hope this piques the interest of our youngsters to pursue STEM careers as they plan their futures,” said Ginger Littleton, vice chair of the Bay District School Board. Trophies were awarded for the team with the quickest time in the obstacle course, the most points in the Finesse challenge, (that required moving PVC pipes from one location to another), and the most points overall. The team that completed the obstacle course in the fastest time, 1.5 minutes, was A. Crawford Mosley High School. The next trophy went to Choctawhatchee High School in Okaloosa County, who had the highest number of points in the Finesse Challenge. Poplar Springs High School in Holmes County took home the biggest trophy, earning the most points overall.