pic: National Underwater Robotics Challenge

[N7UJJ]

A few other differences between NURC and MATE:

MATE has two different "classes" Explorer: predominantly colleges and universities, Ranger: High schools and junior and elementary schools. Our FIRST experience taught us the value of working and competing with younger and older students so NURC has one challenge that is open to ALL groups. Awards, hoverer, do goto highest scoring college and highest scoring high school, etc. It is not unusual for a high school team to out score a college team.

MATE does not allow mentors to work on the project directly. Mentors can teach and direct, but not do any of the building, writing, etc. NURC, unlike MATE, encourages mentors to work with students. The shared experience is the most important activity, not the final ROV.

MATE's main goal is to encourage more students to enter underwater occupations. NURC is most interested in presenting an authentic challenge to students that will inspire them to appreciate engineering, science and technology and all the related skills (budgeting, teamwork, etc.) that is essential to successfully completing a major project. NURC is not recruiting students to a specific career. (Although the U.S. Navy did have a table at the event and was very interested in returning next year)

NURC emphasizes the dissemination of information. Each team produces a technical document that is made public; a video presentation for public viewing, and each team pit is awarded points for how well they interact with the public, all inspired by the positive atmosphere at a FIRST event.

There are a few other differences. The NURC competition seems to be attended by a greater percentage of females and minority students than are found at the MATE championship. NURC, being student centric, does not serve alcohol at it's events, which is an issue with some school districts.

The NURC event takes great pains to attract a viewing audience for the event. Hence, live Internet video and a large auditorium for on-site visitors (and there were hundreds) and a professional commentator (Don Knight, one of the FIRST announcers). Along with the pit activities and "student ambassadors" who guide visitors around all the activities and introduce everyone, we also invited prospective schools to visit and ask questions.

Technically, there are fewer restrictions on ROV design in the NURC competition. (e.g. NURC has maximum electrical power limits, while MATE has various power limits based on ROV design: battery on board vs battery poolside).

NURC teams are encouraged to mentor each other. NURC even helped create the "ROV in a Box" so beginning teams could build a basic ROV. (The high school that won last spring, used a modified ROV in a box robot) The Carl Hayden teams posts all it's designs, tips and insight on its website. MATE is Windows. NURC is Linux.

The inaugural NURC competition last year, held during the night, was attended by city, regional, and state government and political leaders. They were impressed on how positive and outgoing the kids were and all commented on how exciting the event was. That's the IR in FIRST.

All in all, NURC mimics the values of FIRST. While both MATE and NURC are underwater robot competitions, NURC is more collaborative and interesting to viewers. Gracious Professionalism is always demonstrated.

Consider NURC for a fantasic weekend in June capped with an "All nighter" competiton that will be viewed around the world. It's a blast!