PINKrov

What Inspired You to Make This?

A transformative three-year initiative by a St. Francis, Wisconsin robotics team that elevates traditional ROV competitions into meaningful scientific research. The project connects St. Francis Public School District 7th-12th grade students with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee researchers, particularly underwater archaeologist Dr. Ashley Lemke, and federal agencies like NOAA to explore historic shipwrecks and 9,000-year-old underwater archaeological sites in Lake Michigan. This collaboration is being documented by Source TEN, a Milwaukee-based bilingual video production company whose team of creative storytellers is capturing the journey through cinematic content that highlights the significance and educational impact of this groundbreaking underwater exploration. The initiative represents a fundamental shift in educational philosophy, where the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) becomes a means rather than an end. Students are designing advanced ROVs capable of capturing high-resolution imagery with precise positioning and sonar, collecting critical environmental data including temperature and pH levels, and contributing to actual archaeological research and preservation studies. With only a handful of underwater archaeologists working in the Great Lakes region, the images, video, and sonar data collected by students are essential for mapping shipwrecks and monitoring them over time, generating valuable scientific data that would otherwise be unavailable to researchers at UW-Milwaukee. This innovative model reimagines K-12 engagement by positioning students as genuine research partners rather than just learners, creating an educational ecosystem that spans from middle school to graduate programs while involving industry professionals and government partners. Through collaboration with Learn Deep and alignment with Blue Robotics' "Blue STEAM Ahead" initiative, the project establishes a sustainable framework for authentic, community-connected learning that advances freshwater research, strengthens recruitment of young talent into STEM fields, and promotes cross-institutional relationships. Source TEN's digital storytellers ensure this groundbreaking approach is professionally documented, creating a compelling narrative that will inspire future generations of underwater explorers, scientists, and innovative thinkers who understand that educational robotics can evolve from classroom activities into impactful scientific contributions.