Underwater Robots Take On a Mission-Based Competition! 🤖⚓

Join us for the 2026 Great Lakes Regional MATE ROV Competition, where the next generation of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs put their skills to the test in a high-tech underwater showdown.

Student teams have spent months designing and building remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to tackle complex missions inspired by real-world ocean and Great Lakes science. This year, they’re plunging into the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences,” solving challenges based on Earth’s most extreme frozen environments. Read all of the details in the full press release.

Event Highlights

• Live Robotics: Watch custom-built ROVs navigate underwater mission tasks in real-time. You can watch from around the tank or relax in our theater and watch the live stream.

• Workforce Ready: Part of their team score involves pitching their “student tech companies” to a panel of industry experts.

• An Invitation to Worlds: The top-performing ranger team will earn a spot at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship in Newfoundland, Canada!

Logistics

Come cheer on teams from Alpena, Alcona, Tawas, and across the region (upper peninsula, Ohio, Wisconsin, etc.) as they compete for the win!

• When: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Where: Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center | 500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena, MI

• Cost: Free and open to the public!

This Year’s Teams Hail From:

• Alcona Community Schools

• Alpena High School

• Thunder Bay Junior High

• Rudyard High School

• Grandville Middle School

• St. Francis Public School District

• Lakeview Technology Academy

• Heritage Coast Sailing & Rowing

• Gahanna Lincoln High School

Questions? Reach out to Sarah Morrison at sarah.morrison@noaa.gov.