(February 28, 2003) — Cut and put together a couple PVC pipes, add some wax and tinker around with some tools. No, you’re not fixing a sink; those are materials used in constructing an underwater robot. As a new project proposed by the Future Scientists and Engineers of America (FSEA), students from Clark’s engineering clubs are creating underwater remote operating vehicles (ROVs). Although the FSEA has many projects to choose from, the underwater ROV was chosen by students and teachers. In this competition, students must purchase kits, which their sponsor Raytheon has provided for them, and use what they have to design their own ROV. Supplies are limited to their kits, but the design is up to the builders. Students must work in pairs with one kit per pair, with only 10 sessions until May 20, when their ROVs must be completed and tested, ready to compete. These ROVs must be able to move around underwater, and pick up metal washers with an electromagnet. This is the first year Clark’s Engineering Club has participated in such an event. “I hope that the project goes well so that future generations will be like, ‘man, that’s pretty cool’ and want to join the club,” says senior Chris Kang. Advisor Dennis Henderson says that they are about two-thirds through construction, and as soon as they are done, the ROVs will go through about a week’s worth of testing. Principal Doug Dall has provided a portable pool for the testing on school grounds. The exact date and place of the competition itself is not yet determined, but that information will be available when they are done with construction and testing.