Underwater Robotics Challenge Comes to Manassas-area

Hundreds of the nation's brightest students are set to converge on the this week for the National SeaPerch Challenge.

The three-day event begins Wednesday, and students will convene in the community center’s aquatics area on Thursday for the actual underwater robotics competition.

The community center will also host an awards dinner where former White House chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra will speak.

Prince William County Public Schools and the visitors bureau, Discover Prince William and Manassas, are coordinating the students' visits to Manassas museums and other local attractions such as the Manassas Battlefield. The students are also set to tour several companies in Prince William that specialize in robotics.

 “The community is thrilled to host the National SeaPerch Challenge,” Discover Prince William and Manassas Executive Director Ann Marie Maher, said.

“Event organizers recognize that between our history, technology and excellent school systems, we are an ideal location for student-geared competitions and educational tours.”

 Organizers said the Prince William County area was selected as the host of the challenge because its school system embraced the innovative program and was one of the first to integrate SeaPerch into its curriculum. The area's proximity to Washington, historical attractions and companies with robotic divisions also made it an attractive location, Prince William officials said.

SeaPerch is administered by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle System International and funded by the Office of Naval Research. The purpose of SeaPerch is to challenge students to build robots capable of competing in underwater obstacle courses and salvage operations.