Career Connections

Why Encourage Students to Study and Pursue Careers in Engineering and Science?

Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life, and they hold the key to meeting many of humanity’s most pressing current and future challenges.  Yet too few U. S. workers have strong backgrounds in these fields, and many people lack even fundamental knowledge of them.  This national trend has created a widespread call for a new approach to science education in the United States.

From A Framework for K-12 Science Education, National Academy of Sciences, 2012.

 

There are at least three compelling career-related reasons to engage young people in science and engineering study that could lead to a rewarding career.

  1. We need the creativity, talent and commitment today's young people to help solve most pressing current and future challenges.
  2. Because diversity makes for better decision-making, we need to encourage all students to become interested in and study STEM.
  3. Terrific career opportunities are waiting for young people who want to make a difference in their communities and in the world.

Studying science and engineering is an essential component of education for life, work and citizenship for all.  However, many students are unaware of the wide variety of career opportunities that could engage their interests, passions and talents.  These include:

  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Healthcare
  • Information Systems
  • Security
  • Communications
  • Transportation

STEM Career Resources

The resources below may be used to help students connect their experiences in WaterBotics with real-life science and engineering careers.

Underwater Robots in the News

 

  • March, 2017: Robust Robotics for a Safer World

    Stevens Institute of Technology research team teaches robots and drones to make better maps on the fly, which could one day lead to safer ships, ports, harbors, buildings and skies.

    Read the full story here: https://www.stevens.edu/news/robust-robotics-safer-world

  • May, 2016: Stanford University Creates Underwater "Mer-Bot"

    Researchers have developed a new mermaid-like robot called the OceanOne that has humanoid features. The Mer-Bot can serve as an extension of the operator allowing it to more easily manipulate underwater objects. But some don't like the distinctly humanoid look.

    Read the full story here: http://www.wired.com/2016/05/oh-nothing-just-terrifying-robotic-mermaid/ 

  • January, 2015: University Of Delaware Robot Used To Find Submerged WWII Planes

    Searchers have used an underwater robot from the University of Delaware, along with “other technology provided by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography,” to find “a PBM Avenger that went down over the western Pacific archipelago of Palau” during World War II. Searchers also found “a missing Navy Hellcat Fighter and its pilot, amid coral heads back in March.” 

    Read the full story here: http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2015/nov/finding-lost-heroes-110714.html 

  • October, 2014: Stevens Students Design Underwater Robot to Locate Mines

    A group of students at Stevens Institute of Technology—which is also home to WaterBotics—has designed an underwater robot capable of locating unexploded underwater mines and marking them safely. This allows other vehicles to avoid the mines or perhaps even detonate them safely.

    Read the full story here: http://www.voanews.com/content/robot-locates-unexploded-underwater-mines/2485065.html

  • April, 2013: An Underwater Robotic Shark Stalker 

    A pair of researchers have built a robot that will follow sharks to learn about their behavior and preferred environments.

    Read the article at Wired online: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/04/sharkbot/

  • April, 2010: Underwater ROVs Help to Stop a Major Oil Leak

    On April 20, 2010 there was a large explosion on an offshore oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, which killed 11 people and damaged an oil pipe, causing a huge leak of around 42,000 gallons of oil per day into the ocean. Stopping the leak was a very complex task, and underwater ROVs were deployed as the best chance of stopping the leak quickly.

    Several articles discuss the robots as well as give background on the incident.
    • The Globe and Mail has a good summary of the accident and sketches of the leak and how the ROVs will try to stop it.
    • The New York Times and the Guardian (UK) describe backup plans in case the ROVs are unsuccessful and discusses the possible impacts on the environment due to the leak.
    • CNET provides a detailed description of one of the ROV models being used in the operation.