MATE ROV Competitions Bring Ocean Science and Technology to Students and Educators across the U.S. and Canada

Despite our nation's increasing reliance on the ocean environment, students and educators are often unaware of ocean career opportunities and the knowledge and skills required to enter those careers (Sullivan et al., 2006; Sullivan, 2002). A consequence of this lack of awareness is a shortage of skilled individuals who can fill ocean workforce needs (MATE Forum, 1996; Zande & Sullivan, 2003). The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center and the Marine Technology Society's (MTS) ROV Committee created the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) competition to address this issue and bring ocean science and technology to students and educators across the U.S. and Canada. Since 2001, the MATE Center and the ROV Committee have engaged thousands of students and educators from middle schools through universities in developing ROVs for tasks based on real workplace situations. In doing so, the program has promoted ocean issues and careers, connected students and educators with employers and working professionals, and helped students to develop valuable technical, problem solving, and teamwork skills.