We just wrapped up our first Blue Tech Academy, where we saw how powerful and fun it is to get students out of the classroom and into the field!
A group of high school students from Ventura’s Foothill Tech got the opportunity to try out our first attempt at this accessible, modular, and modifiable program focused on the intersection of marine sciences and the application of blue technology.
They kicked things off with an introduction to bathymetry using USVs. Shout out to the Ventura Harbor Patrol, who supported the students in planning routes and deploying BlueBoats into the harbor to collect data and create comprehensive maps!
Students also got to build drop cam frames to give them eyes underwater and check out what was happening on the seafloor. AND they perfected their ROV piloting skills with a small fleet of BlueROV2s.
Blue Tech Academy ended with a capstone trip to Anacapa Island. There, students used the skills they gathered over the course of the program to deploy BlueBoats, BlueROV2s, and a student-built drop cam. They swam, they snorkeled, they kayaked!
We are stoked to see this dream of bringing blue technology directly to students come to life! Blue Tech Academy modules are open source and adaptable, so any educator, institution, or community member can bring this program to their region.
We see this as more than a program–it’s a pathway. Blue Tech Academy can support CTE goals and inspire future careers in the growing blue economy. Soooo, if you (or someone you know) might be interested in bringing this to your community, let us know! DM us!