- June 21, 2025
For the second year in a row, a Buddy Taylor Middle School SeaPerch team has earned a berth in the International SeaPerch Challenge, Flagler Schools has announced.
Seventh grade students James Webb and Alexander Mangal placed second at the Greater Jacksonville SeaPerch Regional Competition on April 12 at the Cecil Aquatics Center to earn their Team Swift Sharks a coveted spot in the international competition May 31 to June 1 at the University of Maryland. Luke Chrzanowski will be joining them as an alternate.
SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program involving over 250,000 students in 35 countries and all 50 states, according to SeaPerch.org. According to a Flagler Schools press release, teams invited to the International SeaPerch Challenge are considered to be among the top 5% in the program worldwide.
Last year, BTMS students Lucas Strunk, Sophia Costa and Nathan Cabrera Delombard of Team Manta Rays earned a spot at the international competition.
SeaPerch teaches students how to construct Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to work underwater. The program introduces students to basic engineering, design and science concepts involving robotics.
“This program aims to teach students engineering skills in a fun and creative setting,” BTMS SeaPerch advisor Tracy Jones said. “Using only the materials provided in their kits, students are challenged to design and build their entries from the ground up.”
BTMS SeaPerch students shared a community outreach project at the Annual WaterSafe Event on April 26 at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club. The project studied how bathing suit colors and their visibility in pools vs. open water could factor into reducing drowning risk.
