• Teaching Resources
• Instruction Videos
• Engineering Process

The 2026 Arkansas 4-H SeaPerch Challenge will have the classes listed below. For additional information about the classes for your teams check out this link..

• Junior Stock Class (Ages 8 - 10)
  • This is a Learning Class.  Youth will compete (in modified competition - specifically the "Meet the Team" Interview & Techinical Design Report) and earn awards, but are inelligible to compete at the International Competition.
  • The total cost of modifications to the final ROV must be $25 or less
  • Frame built using only PVC, CPVC, PEX pipe and fittings. Any size pipes and pipe fittings may be used. Pipes and pipe fittings may be modified using hand and power tools, but may not be machined using CNC or other automated process.
  • Thruster Controls
    • Must only use simple on/off switches for thruster controls
    • May use a fixed or variable resistor to reduce voltage
    • May not use buck converters or any other electronic circuit to reduce or increase voltage
  • May use PWM, microcontrollers, or other devices for non-thruster controls
• Intermediate Stock Class (Ages 11 - 13)
  • Teams include students in 8th grade and below.
  • The total cost of modifications to the final ROV must be $25 or less
  • Frame built using only PVC, CPVC, PEX pipe and fittings. Any size pipes and pipe fittings may be used. Pipes and pipe fittings may be modified using hand and power tools, but may not be machined using CNC or other automated process.
  • Thruster Controls
    • Must only use simple on/off switches for thruster controls
    • May use a fixed or variable resistor to reduce voltage
    • May not use buck converters or any other electronic circuit to reduce or increase voltage
  • May use PWM, microcontrollers, or other devices for non-thruster controls
• Senior Stock Class:
  • Teams include students in 9th grade and above
  • The total cost of modifications to the final ROV must be $25 or less
  • Frame built using only PVC, CPVC, PEX pipe and fittings. Any size pipes and pipe fittings may be used. Pipes and pipe fittings may be modified using hand and power tools, but may not be machined using CNC or other automated process.
  • Thruster Controls
    • Must only use simple on/off switches for thruster controls
    • May use a fixed or variable resistor to reduce voltage
    • May not use buck converters or any other electronic circuit to reduce or increase voltage
  • May use a fixed or variable resistor to reduce voltage

• Open Class:
  • Teams can include students of any grade
  • Open Class must have at least one of the following qualifiers:
    
    • The cost of modifications may exceed $25
    • Frame may include 3D printed or additive manufactured parts as well as other materials, and may be made using CNC machinery or other automated process.
    • May include more than 3 thrusters (i.e., motor and propeller assembly)
    • May use power conditioning or pulse-width modulation (PWM) controls for thruster controls

This year, teams will have 4 events for teams to be scored for placement. Details about scheduling will be announced closer to the competition. OPTIONAL events will be the Real-World Innovation Poster & Community Outreach Posters. Check out the information below.

• Technical Design Report: This is an updated version of the Engineering Notebook. This is a 5 page (maximum) document that outlines the Engineering Design Process  for the team. Check out these instructions for the report. Follow the rubric carefully to make sure you get all the easy points! This will be a digital submission and must be submitted to Michelle McVay via Microsoft Form  on Friday, February 20, 2026. If you are unable to access the form, please email Michelle McVay at mmcvay@uada.edu with the subjest SeaPerch Report - TEAM NAME.

** The Techinical Design Report will be modified for the Junior Stock Class. See the "Competition Details" section for additional information.**

• Meet the Team Interview: 4-H strives to develop well-rounded individuals that excel in soft skills such as presentation and interviews. Each team will present their ROV to a panel of judges. Components of the presentation include introduction of team, design of the ROV, modifications to fulfill tasks, successes, challenges, and the engineering design process. Each member of the team must have a roll in the presentation (even if it is just introducing themselves). Team members will have 5 minutes to introduce themselves and their SeaPerch.   A short Q&A time will be at the end of the interview by the judging panel. Possible Interview Questions. and Scoring Rubric. 

** The Meet the Team Interview will be modified for the Junior Stock Class. See the "Competition Details" section for additional information.**

• Mission Course: In 2026, the Mission Course incorporates a mission related to "Storm Response: Technology in Action for Recovery and Relief". The Coral Restoration Mission is a simulation of the tasks and environment that an ROV might encounter while working to recover and restore coral reefs. For full information of this year's Mission Course check here. In this pool course, teams will accumulate points for ranking via the following rubric.
• Obstacle Course: The obstacle course is a series of 5 hoops that allows for teams to navigate through the water. This is a timed event  and will have 2 chances to run to get their best time. For full information of this year's Obstacle Course check here. In this pool course, teams will accumulate points for ranking via the following rubric.

** As a reminder, Pool Event Rules must be followed at the Competition.  Check here for full information.**

Optional Events:

• Real-World Innovation Poster: This is an OPTIONAL event for the SeaPerch Challenge. This will allow for teams to think outside the box about how the ROV technology can be utilized for real world applications. Check out the instructions for the poster and rubric for direction.
• Community Outreach Project: This is a OPTIONAL event for the SeaPerch Challenge. Whether you volunteer your time in your community, or your team finds a way to connect and offer support—share what the SeaPerch Teams are doing in their communities.  Details can be found at Community Outreach!
  

Interview (Meet the Team)

Technical Design Report

Obstacle Course

Mission Course

4-H strives to develop well-rounded individuals that excel in soft skills such as presentation and interviews. Each team will present their ROV to a panel of judges. Components of the presentation include introduction of team, design of the ROV, modifications to fulfill tasks, successes, challenges, and the engineering design process. Each member of the team must have a roll in the presentation (even if it is just introducing themselves). Team members will have 5 minutes to introduce themselves and their SeaPerch.   A short Q&A time will be at the end of the interview by the judging panel. Possible Interview questions. and Scoring Rubric.   

**Interview times will be announced after registration.**

• Mission Course: In 2026, the Mission Course incorporates a mission related to "Storm Response: Technology in Action for Recovery and Relief". The Coral Restoration Mission is a simulation of the tasks and environment that an ROV might encounter while working to recover and restore coral reefs. For full information of this year's Mission Course check here. In this pool course, teams will accumulate points for ranking via the following rubric.

• Obstacle Course: The obstacle course is a series of 5 hoops that allows for teams to navigate through the water. This is a timed event  and will have 2 chances to run to get their best time. For full information of this year's Obstacle Course check here. In this pool course, teams will accumulate points for ranking via the following rubric.

** As a reminder, Pool Event Rules must be followed at the Competition.  Check here for full information.**

• Real-World Innovation Poster: This is an OPTIONAL event for the SeaPerch Challenge. This will allow for teams to think outside the box about how the ROV technology can be utilized for real world applications. Check out the instructions for the poster and rubric for direction.
• Community Outreach Project: This is a OPTIONAL event for the SeaPerch Challenge. Whether you volunteer your time in your community, or your team finds a way to connect and offer support—share what the SeaPerch Teams are doing in their communities.  Details can be found at Community Outreach!

Optional Event Projects will be submitted with the Technical Design Reports as a digital submission and must be submitted to Michelle McVay via Microsoft Form by Friday, February 20, 2026. If you are unable to access the form, please email Michelle McVay at mmcvay@uada.edu with the subjest SeaPerch Report - TEAM NAME.

*International SeaPerch Challenge Qualifier

*International SeaPerch Challenge Qualifier

1st Place - BZBot, Washington County

2nd Place - Deep Water Vanguard, Grant County