Kranz’s SeaPerch Teams Excel at Competition

Kranz’s SeaPerch Teams Excel at Competition

     The SeaPerch teams from Kranz Intermediate School had an exceptional showing at the Los Angeles Regional SeaPerch Competition held February 29 at Troy High School.   Kranz’s two teams, named Thing 1 and Thing 2, competed against 16 middle schools in three events including an obstacle course, mission course, and a technical report presentation/ interview component. 

      Kranz Intermediate’s SeaPerch program is led by teachers Herman Ruvalcaba and Arlene LeGaspe.  An innovative underwater robotics program, SeaPerch provides students the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme.   Kranz’s 7th and 8th graders have been preparing for the competition since September, studying stem concepts like buoyancy, forces, density, electrical principles and much more. They also learned how to use different tools and how to solder while building their SeaPerch ROVs. Once their ROVs were completed they practiced those STEM concepts and skills in the pool.  

     At the competition, both teams did excellent with Thing 1 winning 3rd place in the mission course and 2nd place overall in the competition and Thing 2 winning 2nd place in the mission course and 5th place overall in the competition. 

       “The kids put a lot of hard work, time, and effort preparing for this event and did a fantastic job at the competition,” said Ruvalcaba.  “We are extremely proud of them and the way they represented Kranz.”

     The Kranz SeaPerch program is grateful to Mike LeGaspe from South El Monte High School for generously allowing the Kranz teams to use their facilities to practice. 

     Students at Kranz Intermediate School experience a multiple and diversified education and are supported to achieve at their highest levels academically, artistically, athletically and socially.  A variety of academic and enrichment programs including Project Lead The Way, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), Robotics, SeaPerch, Hydrogen Race Team, Leadership, STEM programs, Top Sail, Students Run LA (SRLA), marching band and auxiliary, after school sports,  and more.  Encouraging and developing future collegiate scholars is part of Kranz’s college-bound culture and is promoted among students and families through college visitations,  AVID, college and career day events, the Partnership Scholars Program, and the GEAR Up program.  For more information on Kranz Intermediate School or enrollment in the Mountain View School District, please call 626-652-4000.

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