Hello everyone,
here is a quick report of our workshop on building underwater vehicle.
IOMe005 Innovation Lab hosted 15 physics students from Mokowe Secondary School in Lamu for a STEM workshop dubbed “How to Build an Underwater Vehicle”. During the workshop, the students were taken through a dissemination session to understand the roles of the Red Cross Societies as a humanitarian movement, the place of IOMe as an innovation and fabrication space, and the Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH).
They were then taken through a session introducing what Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) are, the different types available, and their functions. During this session, they were introduced to Underwater Robotic Education while engaging them to physics concepts such as fluid buoyancy, Ohms law, underwater thrust, water proofing systems, Basic electronics, Plastic welding, and open-science hardware.
The students were introduced to DIY processes and this started by taking them through different machines and tools that they later used to prepare and assemble their ROV structure from readily available materials
Another team worked on the control of the ROV and was also introduced to relevant tools to use in order to assemble different components. This also included practicing how to solder electronic components and wires. In order to drive and control the DC motors, they used three speed regulation module PWM regulator controller, two joystick modules for movement to the left and right and one potentiometer for upper and lower thrust.
Using those techniques, they all build the control and Structure and tested each to ensure they work well.
They later converged to assemble the framework, motors, and controls to make the ROV kit. Two blocks of Styrofoam were used as floatation material to improve ease of the ROV to float back to the water surface using less power.
They did a successful test using a container full of water and a trip will be arranged to take the ROV for a test in the ocean
We then held a reflective session where students shared their experiences and lessons learned. Then we took them for a tour of the lab to show them the other digital fabrication tools available for them to use.
And they were all happy and their physics teacher was happy!
Thank you GOSH for enabling us to host this amazing session. We look forward to doing more such sessions that help students understand the linkage between theoretical concepts learned in school and their industrial applications. This will always show the learners how they can also be innovative using what is available for them at school and home.