MATE ROV Competition

Start the School Year Off Right with our ROV Kits! 🤖

Looking to bring more excitement, hands-on learning, and real-world STEM skills into your classroom this year? The MATE ROV program is here to help you dive into the new school year with purpose and creativity—whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your robotics and engineering curriculum.

Whether you have a single day, a week, or an entire semester, we’ve got lesson plans to fit your needs. These flexible resources are designed to introduce students to the world of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) while meeting STEM learning objectives (and all instructional material meets common standards)! Activities cover everything from buoyancy and circuitry to environmental problem-solving and teamwork.

See our kits, tips for the school year, and easy to follow lesson plans here: https://hubs.ly/Q04tbNWk0

The MTS ROV Photo Challenge is back - and we want to see who can capture the most epic ROV moments from the MTS community.

From poolside practice runs to those picture-perfect mission successes, every shot tells a story. Now's your chance to show the world your ROV in action!

What's at stake?
- Top 12 photos showcased at Underwater Intervention 2026
- Top 3 featured across MTS + leading marine tech publications
- Prizes + bragging rights that last way beyond competition season

📆 Submission deadline: October 30, 2026
🔗 Learn More and Submit: https://hubs.ly/Q04tbyCd0

Applications Close Next Month! MATE teams—this is a great opportunity to take your worth further!

Ocean Exchange, one of MTS's flagship programs, has officially opened applications for the 2026 Collegiate Call for Solutions. Selected teams will compete for 4x $10,000 USD non-dilutive awards and the opportunity to present their solutions live at Ocean Exchange in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Oct 25-27, 2026).

If your team is developing innovative solutions, whether inspired by ROV design, ocean data, aquaculture, or beyond, this is a chance to gain visibility and connect with leaders across the ocean enterprise.

📆 Applications Due September 16, 2026
🔗Learn more & apply: https://hubs.ly/Q04sqYN50

Moments from the 2026 MATE World Championship - The Closing Ceremony 🌊

As always, the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship closed with a closing awards ceremony at the Jag Hotel! We asked teams to dress -up as their favorite musician or music genre, and some teams went all out! Teams got together to celebrate the end of another epic World Championship! Thank you or rocking with us!

🔗 View all photos from the 2026 MATE World Championship here: https://hubs.ly/Q04ssdVW0

Marine Technology Society Appoints Brian Connon as Chief Operating Officer 🌊

MTS is thrilled to announce that Brian Connon has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective September 1, 2026! An internationally respected leader with more than 30 years of executive experience spanning marine technology, defense, government, academia, and nonprofit leadership, Connon joins MTS following senior leadership roles at Saildrone, the University of Southern Mississippi, The Hydrographic Society of America, and nearly three decades of distinguished service in the United States Navy.

As Chief Operating Officer, Connon will serve as MTS’s senior operational leader and strategic partner to the CEO, helping strengthen the organizational foundation that supports the Society’s continued growth, member value, and expanding portfolio of programs and partnership.

We are extremely excited to welcome Brian as our first ever COO!

Learn more about Brian and his new role here: https://hubs.ly/Q04sLjBm0

Moments from the 2026 MATE World Championship - The Opening Ceremony 🌊

This year's World Championship kicked off with an energetic opening ceremony at the Jag Hotel! Teams got together to celebrate the start of an epic World Championship!

🔗 View all photos from the 2026 MATE World Championship here: https://hubs.ly/Q04ssbFG0

That's a wrap on the 2026 MATE Regional Coordinators Meeting! 🌊

Last week, the MATE Regional Coordinators met in Washington, USA for a long week full of great networking, lessons learned, relationship building, and planning opportunities for the 2027 MATE World Championship!

What a great start to the season! More to come soon 😉

SNEAK PEEK: The 2027 MATE WC Arena

Here's an exclusive look at the 2027 MATE World Championship Pool! We can't wait to see our teams next year in Federal Way, Washington, USA!

Moments from the 2026 MATE World Championship - The Launch 🌊

This year's Collaborative Bonus Mission took World Championship participants to The Launch, the state-of-the-art marine living lab operated by the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland in Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador. Teams got to test their ROVs in salt water for the first time ever! The day was full of smiles, new challenges, and teamwork!

Thank you again to the team at The Launch for hosting us!

View all photos from the 2026 MATE World Championship here: https://hubs.ly/Q04rG5G_0

Hello from Federal Way, Washington, USA! 👋

The MATE team is in Washington for the MATE Regional Coordinator's Meeting to debrief about the 2026 season and gear up for the 2027 MATE Competition Season! The group is also touring the 2027 MATE World Championship location. Stay tuned for more!