Price: $75/Class

Day & Time: 1.5 Hour/Class; Saturdays, 3rd – 5th Grade 1:30 – 3:00 PM; 6th – 8th Grade 3:30-5:00 PM

Grade: 3^rd – 5^th Grade; 6^th – 8^th Grade

Description:

The MATE Robotics Competition was founded and organized by the nonprofit educational organization Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center. The program was originally developed with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and in collaboration with the Marine Technology Society (MTS) ROV Committee. After 15 years of development, the competition was registered in California as MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that continues to advance MATE’s educational mission.

The MATE Robotics Competition is widely regarded as a highly prestigious international engineering competition. Centered on real-world engineering challenges, it closely mirrors the full professional process of how engineering companies solve practical problems—from needs analysis and system design to fabrication, testing, iteration, and technical and business presentations. Evaluation goes beyond robot performance in underwater missions to include engineering rigor, technical documentation, cost analysis, market feasibility, and professional communication. This application-driven, industry-aligned assessment framework gives MATE exceptional academic and practical value, making it highly respected by top STEM programs and engineering fields, and a significant asset for students pursuing future studies and careers in STEM.

The program begins at the Scout (introductory) level, with a carefully scaffolded curriculum designed to build confidence and foundational skills.

First Semester – Hardware & Operations Focus

Programming is not introduced during the first semester. Instructors will preconfigure the core software system, allowing students to focus on:

• Underwater robot structural assembly
• Basic circuitry and component integration
• Mechanical design and tool usage
• Robot operation, maneuvering, and control techniques

This hands-on approach ensures students develop a strong understanding of robotics hardware and system behavior before engaging in software development.

Second Semester and later – Programming & System Optimization

In the second semester, students will gradually be introduced to programming concepts. They will begin to:

• Modify and optimize robot software
• Integrate hardware and software systems
• Improve robot performance for task efficiency and precision

This phased progression allows students to transition smoothly from mechanical construction to full system-level thinking.

Through this carefully staged approach, students will:

• Build a solid foundation in underwater robotics
• Develop engineering thinking and problem-solving skills
• Gain confidence through progressive challenges
• Experience the full design–build–test–optimize cycle

MATE robotics offers a real-world scenario with limitless potential for students to explore. The competition in its most basic form allows students to learn how to build electrical systems, use tools, use motors, how to waterproof, and more. The competition is virtually unlimited to the types of solutions that teams can use. This means that students can really exercise their creativity in making the robot. It also means that other technologies could be implemented into the course in the future.

The judging for the MATE competition is based on a business perspective. Each team should act as a company proposing its solution to a buyer. This allows students to consider the practical benefits of their work. Students will also get to emphasis their work’s value through technical presentations.

MATE focuses on solutions to real world problems. Students will learn very marketable skills for engineering and other STEM fields. Over the long term, students could branch out into many different aspects of engineering that they are interested in with this competition.

The Underwater Robotics Program offers a unique and inspiring pathway for students interested in engineering, robotics, and advanced STEM exploration.