3.4 Community Outreach Project (Optional)

The Community and Outreach event is an optional component of the International SeaPerch Challenge.

Overview

Giving back to your community can take many forms. Find a good fit between what you are passionate about (or good at) and how that can meet a need in your community. Increase awareness of a topic that you care about. Get others excited about your cause or unite them in support of a common goal.

Content

Share your special skills and interests with others who could benefit from them. In the process, you will hone your communication skills, deepen your own understanding and appreciation, and feel a personal sense of pride and accomplishment. You may even inspire others to join you!

STEM-Related Ideas

• Serve as a near-peer virtual mentor or tutor to other students who are building SeaPerch ROVs or who need extra help in other STEM areas

• Volunteer to be a student assistant in a robotics or STEM enrichment club at your school

• Help develop an exhibit for a science museum or STEM center

• Create a website for people to learn more about ROVs and their real-world applications

• Volunteer to participate in the clean-up of a local waterway

• Write an article for your local newspaper highlighting your team and how you have made it to this year’s International SeaPerch Challenge

General Ideas

• Volunteer at a local animal shelter

• Collect canned/non-perishable goods for donation to a local food bank

• Send cards or letters to nursing home residents

• Contact your local community center and inquire about available volunteer opportunities

• Create a social media post or a team promo video to highlight your effort or get the word out

Submission Instructions

Teams that choose to participate in this optional give back event and outreach will be asked to submit the following resources:

• Description of the team’s activity (one-page max, submitted as PDF): To capture important details, think about the 5 Ws as you write, explaining, at a minimum, the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of your outreach activity. What inspired you? Why was this important to you? You might also tell us about any future plans you have or share the impact of your efforts.

• Supporting photos or documents* (optional with three file uploads max.)

• Supporting reference link to a video, website, article, etc. (optional)

*Acknowledgement certifying that photographs or videos given as part of this entry only include team members who have submitted a Photographic Release Form signed by a parent/guardian.

Scoring

Submissions will not be scored but may be considered for special awards.