Delaware Valley Science Fair Committee

Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Inc. (http://www.drexel.edu/dvsf/) was founded in 1949 and incorporated in 1993, making it one of the oldest fairs in the country. It is now also one of the largest since its participants include the top middle and high school students' projects from the tri-state area. The science fairs were designed as a vehicle for stimulating interest in science and technology among students. The philosophy behind the fairs is that students learn science by doing science. Each spring, ASNE-DV participates in the Delaware Valley Science Fair. ASNE-DV members judge the students' projects and determine the best naval engineering related project in two categories: one in the 6-8 grade level and another in the 9-12 grade level. ASNE-DV awards the top projects with certificates and US savings bonds. The ASNE-DV science fair committee is led by member Steve Mastro.

Deleware Valley Science Fair

Sea Perch Program

The Sea Perch is an underwater robot program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) through the MIT Sea Grant Program. The purpose is to recruit the next generation of naval architects. ONR promotes naval engineering for younger students by funding K-12 with naval engineering based projects. This year, the specific project is a ROV (Remote Controlled Vehicle) called Sea Perch. The MIT Sea Grant website for the Sea Perch program contains background information, lessons plans and other resources for both teachers and students. The website can be found at:
http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/edu/seaperch/

On June 3, 2006, Drexel University, teaming with NSWC Philadelphia and ASNE-DV will host the Greater Philadelphia Sea Perch Challenge, an engineering competition for middle and high school students in which they navigate ROVs through an underwater obstacle course, as well as provide oral presentations. The competition is the culmination of a teaming effort between the Office of Naval Research, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Sea Grant, the NAVSEA Warfare Centers (Carderock Division Philadelphia), the American Society of Naval Engineers-Delaware Valley Section (ASNE-DV), the School District of Philadelphia, the Office of College and Career Awareness, Drexel University, and the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center.

ASNE-DV and NSWC Philadelphia embraced Sea Perch as an Outreach program because it is an educational, challenging and fun way to get kids excited about naval engineering. Drexel was our first enthusiastic partner but we have since talked with Villanova and Widener University and expect to expand the program in the months to come. ASNE-DV sponsored a workshop, administered by MIT, and hosted by Drexel on the University Campus on March 4, 2006 to help area teachers prepare students for this competition. The workshop included information on how to build a Sea Perch (ROV), and guidance on teaching students the engineering principles involved in the technology.. The competition, itself, will involve more than 300 students. More information can be found at:

Volunteer Opportunities

The ASNE-DV outreach program is seeking volunteers for all programs. Volunteers have the opportunity to get involved in many different capacities including: mentoring students interested in engineering, coordinating and building the Sea Perch competition and many other related activities. The dates and times are flexible and we can accommodate your schedule whether you would like to volunteer one time or every week or for an hour or 20 hours. If you would like to get involved please contact Outreach Chair, Sara Wallace.

Previous Outreach Efforts

ASNE Symposium Artwork Project (June 2005)

Three local grade schools participated in an artwork project for the ASNE Intelligent Ships Symposium in June 2005 at Villanova University. Through this project, students created posters of Navy ships, submarines, sailors and other Navy themes. The students' artwork was displayed at the symposium. Around 150 students in grades 1-5 participated in the artwork project. An ASNE-DV member spoke to the students about "what makes a ship smart" to introduce the students to naval engineering. ASNE-DV also provided each school with art supplies and each student that created a poster received an ASNE Intelligent Ships Symposium t-shirt.