Work-in-Progress: Development of a new hands-on STEM program for biologically inspired maritime robotics

Abstract

This paper documents the work-in-progress to develop a STEM outreach program providing 9 th -12 th grade high-school aged learners with an introduction to biologically inspired underwater robotics using lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles. This work includes prototype kit development targeting a comparable cost per kit as SeaPerch ($179) and SeaGlide ($249) and instructional materials comprised of demonstration videos and standards-aligned written curricular content to facilitate classroom implementation. LTA vehicles are utilized specifically for their unique ability to demonstrate fundamental concepts applicable to both aircraft and underwater vehicles including structural analysis, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, biologically inspired propulsion, systems engineering, and swarm dynamics, without requiring student access to pools or other bodies of water.