The 2025 International SeaPerch Challenge will include three (3) competition classes. These classes are updated from past years so please review the chart below carefully. Please note, stock classes are limited to PVC, CPVC, and PEX pipe for the ROV frame and may not include 3D printed frames, or frame parts. Frame parts are any parts that add structural integrity to the frame or connect frame parts together. For stock classes, 3D printed parts may not extend the frame to attach other 3D printed parts, this will be considered a frame part.
Rules
Middle School Stock Class
High School Stock Class
Open Class
BUDGET*
The total cost of modifications to the final ROV must be $25 or less
X
X
The cost of modifications may exceed $25
X
MATERIALS
Frame built using only PVC, CPVC, PEX pipe and fittings. Any size pipes and pipe fittings may be used. Pipes and pipe fittings may be modified using hand and power tools, but may not be machined using CNC or other automated process.
X
X
Frame may include 3D printed or additive manufactured parts as well as other materials, and may be made using CNC machinery or other automated process.
X
Attachments and non-frame parts (i.e., hook, gripper, propeller shroud) may be made from various materials to include 3D printed or additive manufactured parts. For stock classes, the majority of the parts used must be pipes and pipe fittings.
X
X
X
POWER SUPPLY
Must design for and utilize a 12-volt power source
X
X
X
May utilize a second power source (no more than 12-volts) to power auxiliary equipment
X
X
X
MOTORS
All motors must be waterproofed
X
X
X
Must use ONLY stock SeaPerch motors (Jameco Electronics 232022) for propulsion**
X
X
X
Additional non-stock motors may be used for non-propulsion uses
X
X
X
May include more than 3 thrusters (i.e., motor and propeller assembly)
X
Rules
Middle School Stock Class
High School Stock Class
Open Class
CONTROLLERS
Must only use simple on/off switches for thruster controls
X
X
May use power conditioning or pulse-width modulation (PWM) controls for thruster controls
X
May use PWM, microcontrollers, or other devices for non-thruster controls
X
X
X
May use a fixed or variable resistor to reduce voltage
X
X
X
STRUCTURE/SIZE
Must fit through 18” diameter hoop
X
X
X
COMPETITION CRITERIA
ROV must not be modified after compliance check (except for buoyancy)
X
X
X
The same ROV must be used for both pool events
X
X
X
Team may include a student in 8th grade or below
X
X
Team may include a student in 9th grade or above
X
X
*Budget Guidelines include:
Donated material will be assessed at what the cost would be to procure the material.
Spare parts and tools are not included in this budget.
Materials used on earlier prototypes are not included in this budget. Only materials and supplies used on the competition ROV and controllers that are not part of the standard SeaPerch ROV kit should be included.
Proof of budget compliance must be made available to the compliance inspectors upon request.
3D printed parts will be costed out at $0.02 per gram.
** Thrusters used for propulsion are thrusters that directly exert force against the water causing the ROV to move in any direction.
2024-12-16
Added tip for creating a soft-robotic gripper (MIT Sea Grant module)
2024-12-16
Updated costs for 3D printed parts price to "$0.02 per gram."
This is not a registration form and is intended ONLY to assist in collecting information prior to online registration.
School/Organization Name
Official Team Name
Team ID#
School/Organization Street Address
City, State, and ZIP, Country
The registered Team Point of Contact will be responsible for all team communications with RoboNation staff concerning registered attendees, housing, technical submissions, and payments. If this Team Point of Contact will also be acting as a Team Chaperone, they must also be registered under Attendee Registration below as a chaperone.
Name
Phone
Name
Phone
Please provide the name and phone number of an emergency contact for the team while they attend the SeaPerch Challenge. Preferably, this person should be someone who will NOT be on site at the event.
Name
Phone
Please provide any necessary ADA accommodations onsite at the competition.
ROV FEE: $250 per team
PARTICIPANT FEE: $75 per student/chaperone
Please note that teams are limited to 12 students and 4 chaperones.
How many students are you registering?
How many chaperones are you registering?
Team ID (This ID will be provided with your registration invitation.)
What region you are representing?
New England – ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT
Northeast – NY, NJ, PA, DE
Mid-Atlantic – DC, MD, WV, VA, NC
Great Lakes – OH, MI, IN, IL, WI
Southeast – KY, TN, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, PR
Plains – MI, IA, MO, ND, SD, NE, KS
Southwest – OK, TX, NM, AZ
Rocky Mountains – MT, WY, CO, UT, ID
Western – WA, OR, NV, CA, AK, HI
International
How did your team qualify?
SeaPerch Regional
Wild Card
Select the competition class below that matches your team’s ROV specifications.
Middle School Stock Class
High School Stock Class
Open Class
What optional events will your team participate in?
All teams are expected to submit a Technical Design Report and Meet the Team documentation as part of their registration. Additional awards will be provided in the following optional events.
Real-World Innovation (Poster)
Community & Outreach
No Optional Event
Would your team be interested in presenting at the event? Selected teams will be notified in May if selected for a presentation slot.
Yes
No
Provide the number of students and educators/mentors engaged with the team. This may include students and educators/mentors that are not registered participants but who worked with the team during the season. This number will not affect the cost of your registration. Registered participant numbers will be entered later.
# of Students: _______________
# of Educators/Mentors: _______________
Male
Female
Non-Binary
Prefer Not to Answer
Asian
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/
Pacific Islander
White
Other
Prefer Not to Respond
Specify Other Ethnicity: __________________________
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
How many students will graduate high school in 2025?
The individual who completes the registration will need an email for each chaperone to enter. The registration system will send a form to each chaperone email to fill in the following information. Note that each team must register and bring a unique chaperone. A single chaperone cannot bring multiple teams to the International SeaPerch Challenge.
Chaperone Name (First & Last) and Title (ex. Mr., Ms., Dr.)
Email Address
Phone Number
T-Shirt Size
Emergency Contact Information (Name, Email, Phone)
Dietary Restrictions / ADA and Special Needs
Background Check
Signed Liability Waiver and Youth Protection Acknowledgement Form
Please collect this information for each student.
Student Name (First & Last)
Parent / Guardian's Name and Email
Dietary Restrictions / ADA Requirements
T-Shirt Size
Signed Liability Waiver
Technical Design Report
Meet the Team
Real-World Innovation (Optional)
Community and Outreach (Optional)
Presentation Abstract (Optional)
Add-ons are purchased separately from the team’s registration and will be accessible at the RoboNation Shop.
TEAM NUMBER (if used)
TEAM
ORG./SCHOOL
Class/Division
JUDGE
No parts or attachments (except buoyancy material) may be removed or added after the compliance check, but attachments may be repositioned.
Design must follow Competition Classes and Design Rules.
☐ Requires only one standard power source for propulsion. Battery limited to one 12VDC, 9Ah max battery no larger than standard SeaPerch battery.
☐ Uses no more than one additional external battery of 12VDC, 9Ah max no larger than standard SeaPerch battery for auxiliary equipment
☐ Uses only standard SeaPerch kit motors or exact replacement for propulsion
☐ Maximum of 3 standard motors for propulsion
☐ ROV meets maximum $25 (value) budget limit for modifications
☐ No exposed live wires on controllers, SeaPerch ROV or tether cable
☐ No sharp edges or potentially hazardous parts
☐ Motors are sealed (waterproofed)
☐ Power cable has insulated covers on alligator clips or terminals
Construction
☐ No loose parts that could potentially fall off during competition
☐ Tether cable is secured to ROV
As team captain/coach, I agree to assure that my team will not make modifications to the ROV system after the compliance check.
Team Captain or Coach’s Name: _________________________________
Signature: ______________________________