Sea Expedition: Marine Robotics

High School and Pre-College Program

Sea Expedition: Marine Robotics

High School and Pre-College Program

A three-week STEM program designed for rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates interested in learning about field robotics in a marine setting. This program will begin in Pasadena, California for an introductory shore component on the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) campus, spend time on the SEA and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) campuses, then join SEA’s SSV Corwith Cramer in Woods Hole for a 12-day sea component in Cape Cod Bay and the Gulf of Maine.

Working alongside oceanographers, engineers, and scientists from SEA, Caltech, and WHOI’s Deep Submergence Laboratory, students will deepen their understanding of field marine robotics, the role ocean engineering plays in marine exploration and conservation and gain hands-on experience deploying remote operated vehicles (ROVs) at sea. Program faculty bring experience from projects exploring extraterrestrial life, investigating Earth’s systems and species, and developing technologies that expand human understanding of the universe. Their research expertise spans the forefront of marine science, advancing knowledge of climate change, ocean acidification, and marine geology.

Shore I in Pasadena, California: July 26 – July 30, 2026

Shore II in Woods Hole, MA: July 30 – August 03, 2026

At sea aboard SSV Corwith Cramer: August 03 – August 14, 2026

Program cost: Coming Soon

How to Apply Financial Aid & costs Schedule an Advising Call

Summer 2026

Sessions

Jul 26 - Aug 14

Pasadena, California & Woods Hole, MA

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Shore Component: Pasadena, CA & Woods Hole, MA

July 26 – July 30, 2026

Beginning in Pasadena, California, students will spend three full days on the Caltech campus engaged in a blend of coursework, hands-on learning, and guest interactions. Students will experience the thriving southern California robotics industry and interface with leading experts to learn about career paths in oceanography, robotics, and aerospace engineering. Students will explore the electrical and mechanical systems of a marine ROV and contribute to the design and construction of sensors and payloads that collect bathymetric and physical /chemical seawater data.

July 30 – August 03, 2026

Program faculty, staff, and students will depart from California for Massachusetts together where they will spend three full days on SEA’s home campus in the Woods Hole oceanographic community to continue the hands-on learning experience. During this time, students will prepare the ROV science and sampling plan for the journey aboard SSV Corwith Cramer.

Sea Component: Woods Hole, MA

August 03 – August 14, 2026

Leveraging the knowledge and skills gained during their shore time in Pasadena and Woods Hole, students will join the SSV Corwith Cramer and set sail through Cape Cod Bay to the Gulf of Maine. Students will deploy ROVs off the SSV Corwith Cramer to explore the underwater environment. Students will use bathymetric mapping techniques to analyze the seafloor, oceanographic sampling techniques such as CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) and carousel deployments to characterize the sea water and perform plankton surveys/tows to assess the biota. Students will directly contribute to the ongoing monitoring of unique and fisheries-relevant benthic habitats on Stellwagen Bank and Cashes Ledge.

Working within their assigned watch groups, students will participate in all operations of a modern sailing research vessel. The captain and USCG licensed mates use instruction in navigation, sail handling and watch leadership to explore communication, thoughtful participation, and a planned approach to tasks.

Students return home with a broader sense of the ocean’s importance to our planet and the critical role that robotics play in exploring and preserving these fragile marine ecosystems.