Three middle school teams from Flagler County have qualified for the International SeaPerch Competition for the third consecutive year, earning their spots through top finishes at regional events held across Florida this spring. The teams will travel to the University of Maryland to compete on May 30 and 31 against the best underwater robotics teams in the world.
What Is SeaPerch?
SeaPerch is a national program that teaches students how to build and operate Remotely Operated Vehicles, or ROVs — small, underwater robots controlled from the surface. The program focuses on engineering, design, and science while also building skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. Students on these Flagler County teams practice regularly at the Palm Coast Aquatics Center.
Teams invited to the international competition are considered to be among the top 5% in the world.
The Three Teams
All three teams qualified by finishing first or second at regional SeaPerch competitions earlier this semester.
Team Great Whites, from Buddy Taylor Middle School, includes eighth-graders Ashton Barnes, Levente Beregszaszi, Alexander Dattolico, and Robert Peters.
Team The Ammonites, also from Buddy Taylor Middle School, consists of eighth-graders Nathan Cabrera Delombard, Noah Johnson, and Lucas Strunk.
The Oranges is made up of Buddy Taylor eighth-grader Alexander Mangal and Indian Trails Middle School eighth-grader Zachary Zelic.
All three teams will be accompanied to Maryland by SeaPerch Advisor Tracy Jones.
What the Advisor Said
Jones credited the program’s growth for the consistent success. “What started as a way to teach engineering skills has become a successful program that helps set the standard among our peers,” she said.
For more information about Flagler Schools, visit flaglerschools.com or call 386-437-7526.
