MATE ROV Competition Blog

Plan Ahead – Build Your Classroom Wishlist for 2025-2026!

Written by MATE Communications | Mar 26, 2025 9:36:54 PM

Get a head start on the 2025-2026 school year by creating your classroom wishlist today! Planning ahead ensures you have the tools and resources needed to inspire and engage your students from day one. Whether it’s hands-on kits, new technology, or essential classroom supplies, building your wishlist early helps you stay organized and take advantage of grants, funding opportunities, and back-to-school discounts. Start dreaming big now so you’re ready to dive into another year of learning and discovery! 

Build Your Wishlist

We have compiled a list of bundles and recommended kits for varying classroom needs, budgets, and group sizes. Even better - all our kits include teaching guides with presentations and activities to support instruction. Click each bundle below to view a list of recommended items to pair with your kit, as well as a guide to figure out how many of each item you'll need for your classroom!

AngelFish ROV Bundle

The AngelFish is a basic ROV kit that is designed to introduce students to ROV building. In our recommendations, please note that 1 group is considered 2-4 students. Access the corresponding teaching guide and resources here

Pufferfish ROV Bundle

The PufferFish kit makes ROV building fun, educational, and straight-forward. In our recommendations, please note that 1 group is considered 2-4 students. Access the corresponding teaching guide and resources here

Triggerfish ROV Bundle

The TriggerFish kit is an easy to construct ROV kit that moves from a switchbox controller to analog joystick control of four motors. In our recommendations, please note that 1 group is considered 3-6 students. Access the corresponding teaching guide and resources here

Barracuda ROV Bundle

The Barracuda ROV kit moves from an analog joystick to full digital control of four motors. In our recommendations, please note that 1 group is considered 3-6 students. Access the corresponding teaching guide and resources here

 

Skill Building with All Kits

These items are also recommended for skill building amongst all kits. 

 

Tips & Tricks to Secure Funding

SeaMATE offers some budget-friendly bundles to reduce costs. Additionally, there are a number of grant and scholarship opportunities through MATE as well as other entities. 

MATE and MATE Partners Scholarships & Grants – MATE has partnered with a variety of organizations that offer generous support to students and educators in the program. Some of these grants include: 

  • Schmidt Ocean Coalition Team Travel Stipend
  • Schmidt Ocean Coalition SeaMATE ROV Kit Scholarship
  • Motorola Solutions Foundation SeaMATE ROV Kit Scholarship
  • Marine Technology Society Scholarships 

Local & Regional Grants – Depending on where you are based, you can often find regional and local grants to help fund and support your MATE ROV Team. For a comprehensive list of resources, ideas of places to look, and more, view this page.  


Making Waves in STEM Education

MATE empowers students to think critically while exploring the depths of underwater robotics. These classroom resources and bundles are designed to maximize learning and opportunities for students within a budget. It's full steam ahead for an educational and exciting 2025-2026 school year!