Rob Roedel, senior director of corporate communications for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, said the organization has also worked to increase program participation.
“The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have worked to spread the great learning opportunities that SeaPerch provides to the youth of Arkansas,” Roedel said. “Our team is actively working with schools and 4-H groups to provide assistance in purchasing kits and sponsoring the program.”
Participants used more than three dozen parts to design and build their remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, including pieces of pool noodles, electrical tape, 12-volt motors, PVC pipe and 3D-printed parts. Teams then steered their ROVs through an underwater obstacle course and mission course, which was designed to mimic deep-sea exploration.
The overall winning junior, senior, open and wildcard teams will compete at the International SeaPerch Challenge May 31-June 1 at the University of Maryland.
Winning Senior Team:
Winning Junior Team:
Winning Open Team:
Winning Wildcard Team:
Remembering Hope
McGinley said it was important for the event to honor Hope Bragg, former extension instructor in 4-H youth development for the Division of Agriculture, who directed the SeaPerch program last year and was enthusiastic about its growth. On the underwater mission course, which included a door mechanism that teams had to open and close using their ROVs, “Hope” was stamped on the door in signature 4-H green.
Bragg, her husband Don, and their children Kenny, 22, and Elizabeth,19, were killed in a house explosion in Michigan on Dec. 30, 2023. The same blast injured their son Stephen, 16, and Hope’s father, Richard Pruden, 72. Hope’s husband Don was a project leader for the U.S. Forest Service, and their children were active in 4-H.
“Hope Bragg was an amazing person,” McGinley said. “Anyone who knew Hope knew her passion for science, teaching youth and lifelong learning. We wanted to make sure she was honored and remembered for the impact she had on the 4-H program and the lives of youth across the state.”
The Arkansas 4-H Foundation established the Bragg Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will benefit a current 4-H member pursuing a college degree in natural resources or STEM-related — science, technology, engineering and math — fields. To learn more about the scholarship or make a donation, visit arkansas4hfoundation.org/ways-to-give/bragg-family-scholarship.aspx.
Working together toward growth
Roedel said it is important for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas to support the mission of the SeaPerch program and Arkansas 4-H.
“The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas’ heritage is closely linked to the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, as extension agents were crucial in the establishment of the local electric cooperatives,” he said. “Our two organizations have partnered on many initiatives together over the years. I see the SeaPerch program as another example of the success that can be achieved when 4-H and the cooperatives work together.”
McGinley said the organization is crucial to the success of the SeaPerch program.
“The Electric Cooperatives’ support has been key to the expansion of SeaPerch,” he said. “Not only do they sponsor the Arkansas 4-H SeaPerch Challenge, but their willingness to put SeaPerch kits in the hands of youth across the state has been instrumental in helping more youth become involved.
“The partnership between the Electric Cooperatives and Arkansas 4-H is rooted in a passion for rural Arkansans and their families,” McGinley said. “Together we are making a difference, and we look forward to that partnership only growing stronger in the future.”
Roedel said he hopes to grow the SeaPerch program to attract more students and eventually hold regional competitions and a state championship in Arkansas.
For more information about the Arkansas 4-H SeaPerch Challenge, visit 4h.uada.edu. To learn more about the SeaPerch program, visit seaperch.org/about.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
