Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Celebrating the International Polar Year: MATE's 2007 International ROV Competition Challenges Students to Science and Exploration Under the Ice  (MATE International ROV Competition)

Outline
The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center and the Marine Technology Society’s (MTS) ROV Committee are organizing the sixth annual international student remotely operated vehicle (ROV) competition. The event will take place June 22-24, 2007 on the campus of Memorial University in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada. In recognition of the International Polar Year (IPY), the competition will focus on polar science and exploration. The MATE Center will work with members of the international IPY community to develop a competition scenario that highlights polar regions and reflects the challenges that scientists and engineers face when working in these environments. The competition goals are to 1) increase understanding of the science, history, and culture of polar regions and the impact that these regions have on global climate, and ultimately, on society and the economy; 2) highlight current polar science and exploration activities as well as potential career opportunities; 3) promote the development of higher-level technical, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills; 4) provide students and teachers with technical and financial support to facilitate the development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills; and 5) connect students with employers. Forty-five teams representing middle schools, high schools, home schools, community colleges, and universities are expected to participate in the international event. The team list will include the winners of the fourteen regional competitions that are part of the MATE regional contest network. These regionals are organized and supported by the MATE Center and its partners in northern, central, and southern California; Hawaii; the Pacific Northwest; Texas; Florida; New England; the Great Lakes; the Mid-Atlantic states; the Southeast; Newfoundland and Labrador; and Hong Kong. In addition to the underwater missions, participating teams will be evaluated on their ability to effectively communicate their understanding of the design, construction, and operation of their ROVs via technical reports; poster displays; and engineering presentations to a panel of judges, who represent research, academia, industry, government, and the military. Keeping with the IPY theme, teams will also be required to investigate the cultural, historical, and social aspects of human life at the poles and report their findings in both their technical reports and poster displays.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
More than 1,000 students and teachers (and more than 200 working professionals) from across the globe will have an increased understanding of the science, history, and culture of polar regions and the impact that these regions have on global climate, and ultimately, on society and the economy. Further, these students and teachers will gain an appreciation for the technological challenges faced when working in these extreme environments.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The MATE Center’s competition includes students and teachers from across the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong. (Teams from other countries (the UK, for example) have also expressed interest in competing.) The international competition is being held at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
North America (northern, central, and southern California; Hawaii; the Pacific Northwest; Texas; Florida; New England; the Great Lakes; the Mid-Atlantic states; the Southeast; Newfoundland and Labrador) and Hong Kong. (Possibly the U.K. and countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: International competition June 22-24, 2007      Regional competition dates TDB      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Brainpower! MATE is requesting members of the IPY committee to review and provide feedback on the mission scenarios and tasks. (Drafts will be ready for distribution by November 20th.)

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The MATE ROV competition program currently has an infrastructure – one that has existed since the program first began in 2001.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

New autonomous proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The MATE Center, the MTS ROV Committee, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and their partners in the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong will organize and carry out the competitions.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project is entirely focused on education and outreach. Regarding communication, the MATE Center and the marketing/public affairs office of Memorial University are working together on a press packet and media relations plan to disseminate information about the competition to local, national, and international media outlets.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Not applicable.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
More than 80 organizations and working professionals currently support the MATE ROV competition by contributing funds, facilities, equipment, building materials, time, and technical expertise. The Center will continue to identify addition funding sources in order to increase the financial support it provides to the competing student teams. (Note – the MATE Center provides each team traveling to its international competition with travel and housing stipends and covers the cost of most meals during the event.)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms Jill Zande
Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center
c/o Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Street
Monterey, CA
93940
USA

Tel: +1 (831) 646-3082
Mobile: no
Fax: +1 (831) 646-3080
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation