2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Diving Deeper: Advancing Underwater Robotics Education through SeaPerch Adaptations and Marine Industry Partnerships

Presented at Ocean and Marine Division (OMED) Technical Session 1

The workforce needs for naval engineering, marine industries, and STEM in general are projected to be increasing over the next decade, particularly with the commitment to build more full size submarines and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) than ever before. Engaging K-12 students early and often in repeated exposures to STEM disciplines and opportunities is critical for expanding the STEM workforce. SeaPerch is a nationwide K-12 STEM program that introduces students to naval architecture and underwater robotics through the hands-on design and operation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The program is designed to make engineering accessible and engaging by combining teamwork, creativity, and real-world problem solving in an underwater environment. Building on this well established foundation, the team enhanced the SeaPerch system for use in a university-based advanced STEM summer camp by integrating a Raspberry Pi-based wireless control system and developing an innovative ballast tank mechanism for improved vertical maneuverability. Expanding the options beyond the basic build allows the project to be appropriate for campers who return in a future summer, as well as older campers in the early high school years, who arrive at camp more advanced than the typical middle school target audience. This redesign thus enhanced the educational experience of the traditional SeaPerch program while also allowing the team to reuse the basic build summer after summer which helps keep costs contained, maintains high student engagement and introduces important engineering concepts that align with the team's industry partnerships. Integrating concepts like programmable logic, real-time wireless operation, and fluid dynamics can expose students to critical engineering skills that support the future workforce needs of the submarine manufacturing industry partners. This project not only enriched students’ understanding of complex engineering principles through iterative design and experimentation but also fostered teamwork and problem-solving skills. Future efforts will aim to refine the system for easier classroom and camp implementation and broader outreach.

Authors

Dr. Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi The University of Rhode Island [biography]

Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. Her research interests include lean manufacturing, sustainability, system design across multiple industries, and human factors. She has worked with healthcare, service, military and manufacturing organizations. At URI, she coordinates the Naval Science and Technology concentration, and the Interdisciplinary Sustainability Minor. Since 2021, she has served as co-Director of the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition, dedicated to workforce development and pipeline growth for defense industries.
Olivia Daniello The University of Rhode Island [biography]

Olivia Daniello is a senior education major at the University of Rhode Island and a member of the Navy STEM Crew. She was an Undersea Naval Innovation Teacher Education (UNITE) Fellow and will help to mentor the summer 2026 cohort of UNITE Fellows. She plans to pursue graduate studies in education at the University of Rhode Island.
Jian Bin Wu The University of Rhode Island [biography]

Jian Bin Wu is a Systems Engineering researcher at the University of Rhode Island with over three years of experience in delivering end-to-end technical prototypes. His expertise spans the integration of hardware and software, specifically focusing on the intersection of autonomous robotics, computer vision, and advanced data pipelines. As a Graduate Research Assistant with the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT), Bin has spearheaded diverse projects, including the structural and control-layer adaptation of underwater robotic platforms and the development of real-time operator intent classification systems. His Master’s thesis research in cognitive state modeling was conducted in partnership with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) to ensure technical depth and mission-relevance. Bin specializes in architecting robust systems in resource-constrained environments, bridging the gap between theoretical research and functional, real-time demonstrations
Megan Gimple The University of Rhode Island [biography]

Megan is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned both her M.S. and B.S. in Ocean Engineering. Her graduate research focused on evaluating LiDAR sensing systems for near-field wave elevation measurements, including field validation of an Ouster OS1 system. Her broader technical experience includes hydrodynamic analysis, offshore renewable energy systems, and numerical modeling, with a senior capstone centered on the design and optimization of floating offshore wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine.

Megan currently serves as the Undergraduate Research and Outreach Coordinator for the URI Navy STEM Coalition, where she leads the development and implementation of K–12 engineering programming and supports undergraduate research engagement. Her work bridges engineering research and education, with a focus on expanding access to STEM education and fostering inclusive learning environments
Celeste Weidemann The University of Rhode Island [biography]

Celeste Weidemann is a Master’s Student in the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island. They specialize in the manufacturing and deployment of deep-sea landers, collecting environmental and hydrodynamical data of surrounding coral reefs. Alongside their engineering pursuits, they have worked with the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition for two years, assisting with numerous k-12 outreach events.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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