X Academy Inspires Young Students With opportunity to create their own ROV

X Academy Robotics Club Students presented themselves at the 2025 STEAM Expo. Organized by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. K-12 students in Santa Cruz County were invited to participate in the STEAM Expo, a celebration of student innovation and creativity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

Thirty six students were given basic instructions and the freedom to build their own underwater ROV, using an array of materials including from PVC pipes, thrusters, remote controller, and power control board. The goal was to  operate their creation in a pool to collect diving rings with their ROV. After their first trial,they were allowed to revise their ROV and see what they could change, to make their ROV more effective at the objective, such as changing its shape and buoyancy.

X Academy robotics club inspired students by exposing them to an interactive engineering experience, and motivating them to consider  joining the robotics club in the future. The X Academy in partnership with the County Office of Education. There are three teams preparing for the MATE ROV competition on April 26 at Watsonville High School. They are currently building their ROV in preparation for to compete.