We wrapped up our third successful session of the BlueTech Robotics Academy, a STEM program jointly led by MassRobotics and MITRE, focused on exploring the world of underwater robotics. The week-long academy, held at the MassRobotics STEM Lab, brought together bright high school students eager to dive into engineering challenges and experience hands-on innovation….underwater.
Underwater Innovation in Action
At the heart of this year’s academy was the design and build of a new aquatic robot: the Sea Jelly. GreenSight developed the Sea Jelly project as part of an effort to create a scalable underwater STEM kit. Students were introduced to the whole development process—from molding the robot’s form to assembling electronics and finally, testing their creations in a tank environment.
Students also constructed their underwater ROVs, applying the STEM concepts they learned throughout the week. The builds were completed between lessons on buoyancy, sonar, propulsion systems, and underwater navigation, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to design functional submersible robots.
This hands-on experience helped students integrate a wide range of STEM concepts, including buoyancy, pressure tolerance, waterproofing, circuitry, and propulsion, all within the unique context of underwater robotics.
Mentorship from Experts
Throughout the week, mentors from MITRE were on site, providing both technical guidance and career insights. Students had the opportunity to interview MITRE professionals, ask questions about their career paths, and gain a deeper understanding of how robotics is applied in real-world underwater and defense systems.
The presence of these mentors was one of the program’s highlights, offering students exposure to cutting-edge industry expertise and an insight into future career possibilities in the fields of robotics and national security technology.
Empowering the Next Generation
The BlueTech Robotics Academy continues to grow as a cornerstone of MassRobotics’ STEM education efforts, connecting students with industry professionals, emerging technologies, and hands-on learning opportunities that spark creativity and technical growth. We’re incredibly proud of the students’ curiosity, teamwork, and ingenuity throughout the program, and look forward to seeing how they apply these skills in the future.Special thanks to our partners at MITRE and GreenSight for helping make this program possible and for their continued support in inspiring the next generation of roboticists and ocean tech innovators.
