Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
helps regional schools participate in
the MATE ROV competition.
The MATE, or Marine Advanced Technology Education
program offers students from diverse
backgrounds the opportunity to work in
the fast-paced, collaborative, and
challenging environment. This past May
regional competition was held at Alpena High School
high school near the Thunder Bay
near Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Preparing them
for real-world jobs that require the use
of science, technology, engineering, and
math. Jobs that are in high demand and
growing every year. It might look like
fun and games but these kids are getting
a leg up on the competition for complex
jobs and marine industries. From science and
exploration to energy, national security,
research, and search and recovery.
Students from K-12 and community colleges
and universities can participate in MATE.
And the competition is global.
In 2014, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary hosted the
international competition and students
from teams across the globe gathered in
Alpena, Michigan, using the sanctuary's dive
training tank to compete.
Participating in MATE is just one way the national
marine sanctuaries are helping students
and communities prepare for exciting
careers in marine industries.
At Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary,
getting young people in the
community started in high-tech marine
fields is just the beginning.
Partnerships with the local community college have
allowed students at the collegiate level
to develop skills in a unique program of
study that trains them in high-end ROV
equipment and simulators like the one
designed by Oceaneering, which allows
students to understand how to control
complex ROVs for use in the energy
industry and beyond.
Connecting communities to real-world
experiences that help launch and advance
careers. Just one part of what we're
doing at the national marine sanctuary.
part of thunder bay national marine
Part of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary's mission is outreach and education
and this is one of the most important
education programs that they run each year.
I teach at Alpena Community College,
I do our ROV technology program.
It has taught us a lot of real life skills.
I know a few people on my team
are using the skills they learned to go
on and be engineers or ROV pilots.
We are both employed by Oceaneering
International as ROV technicians and
we started through the marine sanctuary and
Alpena Community College's marine technology program.
You can learn more about the
MATE ROV competition by visiting
www.marinetech.org and learn more about our educational programs and partnerships
at sanctuaries.noaa.gov.