Naval JROTC Competes in Underwater Robotics Competition at University of Michigan

By Gunnery Sergeant Mathew Barr

KHS NJROTC Instructor

mbarr@kingsleyschools.org

Cadets from Kingsley High School’s NJROTC program competed in the SeaPerch Regional Championship at the University of Michigan, joining 35 teams from across the state in an underwater robotics competition focused on engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Throughout the season, Kingsley cadets designed, constructed, and tested three underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) while also completing and submitting a detailed technical design report outlining their engineering process and vehicle capabilities.

During the regional competition, teams navigated their ROVs through three scoring events.

The Mission Course challenged teams to complete eight storm rescue and response tasks within an eight-minute time limit. The Obstacle Course tested precision maneuvering and control, while the Drag Race evaluated speed and propulsion performance.

Kingsley’s Alpha Team placed 8th in the Mission Course and 11th in the Obstacle Course, finishing 11th overall out of 35 teams. Bravo Team earned a 7th-place finish in the Mission Course, a 3rd place finish on the drag race and 16th in the Obstacle Course, securing 12th place overall.

Kingsley’s Middle School Charlie Team also delivered an impressive performance, placing 3rd in the Mission Course, 6th in the Obstacle Course, and finishing 6th overall out of 15 middle school teams.

While competition results highlighted strong technical achievement, the greatest success of the season was the leadership development demonstrated by the cadets. Through the SeaPerch program, students applied NJROTC leadership principles by working collaboratively, adapting designs to overcome challenges, and supporting one another under pressure. The experience reinforced teamwork, resilience, communication, and the NJROTC core values of leadership and service.

The Kingsley NJROTC program extends its appreciation to community partners, parents, and supporters who helped make this opportunity possible and continue to support STEM education and leadership development for local students.