News

Sparking an Interest in STEM - MI and WISE NL Host ROV Webinar
Thursday, May 25, 2017

Linked by technology, students from two local high schools recently joined forces with faculty and students at the Fisheries and Marine Institute and representatives from Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador (WISE NL) to build their own Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). 

Hosted online, the session brought together students from St. Lewis Academy in St. Lewis, NL and Belanger Memorial School in Doyles, NL as part of Science Odyssey Week – Canada's largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

“The School of Ocean Technology was pleased to partner with WISE NL on this interactive session focused on ROVs,” said Paul Brett, Head of the School of Ocean Technology. “Not only was this a chance for the students to learn about ocean technology, but spark their interest in STEM and the annual MATE ROV NL competition held annually at MI.” 

The students were provided with an ROV starter kit and learned how to put it together with instruction from Ocean Mapping student, Michaela Barnes and ROV Technician program student Keely-Shaye Lullwitz – both members of Memorial University’s ROV Team, Eastern Edge. 

Together, the women walked the students through the creation of their ROV and discussed their experiences with the MATE ROV competition, their programs of study, how they got involved in ROVs at their high schools and why they chose to study in the ROV Technician Diploma program. 

“This was an exciting opportunity for us to share our knowledge and experience with students across the province,” said Ms. Barnes. “Ocean technology is a very exciting field and we hope that our experiences will encourage others to get involved.” 

The webinar was made possible with the support of Memorial University’s Center for Innovation for Technology Learning (CITL) who provided Brightspace which linked all three schools. 

Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador (WISE NL) is a non-profit volunteer organization active since 1988 that aims to increase the participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.