News Article

CNA helps bring high school students to science competition


5/13/2011 9:58:16 AM


Future scientists at E.A. Butler Central High School in McKay’s were able to participate in the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Scout competition through support from College of the North Atlantic.

“It was fabulous,” said Marsha Young, the team’s teacher/sponsor, noting the financial support from the college assisted with the team’s participation in the April 15-16 event. “Without the money we wouldn’t have been able to afford to go.”

Worldwide competitions are organized by the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center, and the Marine Technology Society’s (MTS) ROV committee. Newfoundland’s competition this year took place at Memorial University’s Marine Institute in St. John’s.

“The ROV competition was a good fit (for sponsorship) in that several graduates from our Digital Animation program have gone on to work as modelers and animators for underwater ROV training simulation companies,” said Chris Dohaney, campus administrator for College of the North Atlantic’s Bay St. George campus.

The provincial competition focused on the role of ROVs in the offshore oil and gas industry. Students had the opportunity to see how their knowledge in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math could be applied practically. The experience can get students thinking about exciting careers in the province.

“I think five out of my eight students are planning to go to College of the North Atlantic in the areas of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Electrician,” said Young. “The students had a blast... they can’t wait until next year.”

The first part of the competition required the building of an underwater remotely operated vehicle, one able to provide maintenance functions for an underwater oil well. The second part of the competition required the collection of mock organisms from the bottom of Marine Institute’s flume tank.

“The whole point was trying to show people that ROVs could be used in disasters like the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that happened last year. Our missions were based on that... and to let kids know that we can build things to help in times of disaster,” said Young.

Ryley Pumphrey was the team captain for the high school.

“It was great! It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to do it next year,” she said. “We all sort of planned it together; it was a big group effort.”

“Teams from the province have participated in the MATE ROV competition from the very beginning and have always been quite competitive,” said Jill Zande, ROV competition Coordinator.

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Media Contact:

Andrew Pike
Journalism student
College of the North Atlantic
andrew.pike@ed.cna.nl.ca

Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca