SOAR-Marine Robotics
The Student Organization of Aquatic Robotics (SOAR) is a student-run, non-profit business that works to improve the local watershed. SOAR is composed of DB-TC students in grades 9 - 12. Anyone is able to join the robotics team to help aid in the engineering, design, and programming of aquatic robots.
In 2011, math/science teacher, Matt Zimmer, created a robotics class that would function in a number of ways. For starters, the class had real-world problem solving applications; specifically, the class helps to aid in the ecology and sustainability of local lakes and waterways. SOAR is a project-based class that allows students to design and create underwater robotics using technology like computer programming, machining, and 3-D printing.
The DB-TC robotics team is nationally recognized for their efforts. SOAR was the recipient of the National Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in exemplary contributions to the local watershed. The SOAR team engineered an aquatic robot to be used at Isle Royale to help locate zebra mussels in efforts to keep invasive species out of the Great Lakes. SOAR teamed up with the National Park Service and Isle Royale National Park to give students a chance to solve real-world problems with real-world solutions.
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The media specialists for the Dollar Bay SOAR Enterprise have generated some exceptional content capturing the work done daily by the SOAR team. Snips and bites of information are publicized through:
View an engaging SOAR media presentation here.