The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center, the National Science Foundation, and the Marine Technology Society's (MTS) ROV Committee invite you to our 6th Annual International Student ROV Competition. Forty-one teams representing middle schools, high schools, home schools, after-school groups, community colleges, and universities from the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, Scotland, Spain, and Iran are scheduled to compete in this year’s event, which is being held June 22-24, 2007 on the campus of Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

In partnership with the International Polar Year (IPY), the 2007 competition highlights the science, history, and culture of our earth’s Polar Regions and the impact that these regions have on global processes.

Over the last six months, the student teams have worked to develop ROVs for underwater mission tasks that focus on ocean observing, scientific research, and offshore industry operations in polar seas. These missions will be staged in three different facilities: a flume tank, located at the university's Marine Institute; an ice tank, located at the Institute for Ocean Technology (IOT); and a tow tank, also located at the IOT. These fantastic facilities are allowing the competition to simulate real-world environmental conditions like it never has before.

A panel of judges--professionals representing industry, science, government, education, and exploration--will evaluate the teams on their ability to effectively communicate an understanding of their vehicles' design and construction via technical reports, poster displays, and engineering evaluation interviews.

The competition will feature an Ocean Career Expo, organized by the MATE Center and our partners in the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) California. NOAA's Captain Craig McLean will set the stage for an exciting weekend when he addresses the students at the kick-off reception. MTS ROV
Committee Chairman Drew Michel will set the stage for exciting future careers when he presents an overview of the ocean workforce at the awards banquet.

We encourage you to join us as the students expand their understanding of Polar Regions and how these regions impact and are impacted by the global climate. Visit the MATE competition web site at where LIVE updates - including scores, photos, and video clips