Students from Lake Arthur, Jennings and Hathaway made a big splash Monday as they showed off their engineering skills with underwater robotics challenges.

Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders from the three schools teamed up to test their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills for the first time as part of a SeaPerch underwater challenge.

SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program put on by the Department of Defense which equips students with resources they need to build underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), according to local Gifted Program educator Mike Romine.

Students used their STEM skills, along with real-world skills to design, build and navigate their underwater remotely operated vehicles which consist of PVC pipes, pool noodles and batteries.

“They have been putting together their SeaPerch systems since the end of August and using tools like soldering kits to build their underwater robots,” Romine siad.

The students learned to drill holes, cut PVC pipes, make structures using three different motors and how to solder different parts together.

Technology Supervisor Laurie Duhon said the students also learned about teamwork, collaboration and problem solving.

Romine hopes the program will steer the students’ interest in future careers involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Hopefully this will inspire them to do something in electrics, robotics or bridge building,” he said.

On Monday, the students tested their vessels by submerging them under water with the challenge of using their devices to pick up water bottles.

The experience was eye opening for Gracie Lalanne, a sixth grader at Lake Arthur Elementary School, who was the youngest person in the program.

“The hardest part was keeping your cool,” she said. “Soldering the circuit board was very tedious.”

Lalanne said the skills she learned can be used to help her if a circuit board ever breaks down.

Eighth grader Dylan Lacombe of Hathaway High School said he learned how to solder for the first time. He also learned to cut pipes and strip wires.

“The hardest thing was having the control board break and having to redo it,” he said. “I’m hoping mine doesn’t sink.”

Trevor Sparks, a seventh grader at Jennings High School, said he learned how to solder, cut pipes and measure precisely. Learning to solder was the most difficult, he said.

Sparks hopes to use the skills he learned in the future as a welder or builder.