Tuesday, July 7, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mission Bay Model Boat Pond Clubhouse
The San Diego Argonauts are pleased to host our first High School Maritime Robotics & STEM Workshop Day, bringing together educators, mentors, engineers, makers, and experienced builders to explore hands-on skills that can support future maritime robotics and STEM programs for local high schools.
This workshop is part of a broader initiative to expand practical, project-based STEM education opportunities centered around marine technology, robotics, engineering, electronics, fabrication, and model boating.
The July 7 workshop represents the first step in what we hope will become an ongoing program that includes:
- The development of the RoboBuoy Challenge, a new maritime robotics competition currently being designed for the 2026-2027 school year.
- A Mentor & OPEN HOUSE Day on August 1, 2026, where students, parents, teachers, engineers, and potential mentors can learn more about model boating, maritime engineering, robotics, and future STEM opportunities at the pond.
- Continued collaboration with local schools, educators, industry professionals, universities, and STEM organizations throughout San Diego County.
Our goal is simple: create a pathway that allows students to progress from learning basic technical skills, to building increasingly sophisticated maritime robotics projects, and ultimately to competing in a fun, educational, and highly practical engineering challenge.
The proposed RoboBuoy Challenge will encourage students to design, build, and operate autonomous and remotely controlled marine systems while developing real-world skills in engineering, electronics, fabrication, programming, communications, project management, and teamwork.
July 7 Workshop Overview
To support these future activities, participants will rotate through five instructional stations led by experienced Argonauts members and subject matter experts.
Table 1 – Basic Circuits & Connections
Instructor: Robin Cahill Simpson (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
- Learn basic circuitry
- Electrical safety
- Grounding
- Switching
- Fusing
- Metering
Activities
- Create a basic switched circuit with fuse
- Solder wire-to-wire and wire-to-connector connections
- Test circuit operation and switching
- Learn safe electrical practices and troubleshooting techniques
Table 2 – Batteries
Instructor: Ed Syres (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
- Understand battery types
- Learn charging methods and best practices
- Understand series and parallel configurations
- Learn common connection types
- Discuss usage, charging, and storage safety
- Explore waterproofing considerations
Activities
- Compare battery packs wired in series versus parallel
- Test and measure battery voltages
- Demonstrate proper battery handling and connection techniques
- Review connectors commonly used in robotics and marine applications
Table 3 – Glues & Binders
Instructor: Rob Wood (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
- Understand different adhesive types
- Learn where each adhesive performs best
- Discuss safety considerations
- Learn proper curing and setting techniques
Activities
- Bond plastic-to-plastic materials
- Bond acrylic and plexiglass components
- Work with ABS and PVC materials
- Explore epoxy applications
- Learn clamping techniques
- Discuss forms, jigs, and curing times
Table 4 – Control Systems
Instructor: Kurt Sellens (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
- Gain familiarity with basic radio-control systems
- Understand motor control systems
- Learn about servos, receivers, and speed controllers
- Explore mechanical linkage systems
Activities
- Connect and bind a radio transmitter to a receiver
- Add and test servos
- Configure speed controllers
- Demonstrate radio programming and control functions
- Explore rudder and thruster linkages, pushrods, and turnbuckles
Table 5 – Cutting, Filing, Drilling & Tapping
Instructor: Jeff Sparksworthy (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
- Gain familiarity with measuring and marking
- Learn drilling and tapping techniques
- Practice fabrication and finishing skills
Activities
- Measure and mark a drilling location
- Use a center punch
- Drill a pilot hole in aluminum
- Tap threads using an 8-32 tap
- Practice filing techniques
- Learn safe shop practices and proper tool usage
Building Maritime STEM in San Diego
The San Diego Argonauts believe that some of the best STEM education happens when students can design, build, test, troubleshoot, and improve real-world systems with their own hands.
By combining engineering, electronics, fabrication, programming, radio-control systems, autonomous technologies, and maritime applications, we hope to create engaging learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, scientists, and marine technologists.
The July 7 workshop is intended to bring together educators, mentors, and technical volunteers to help shape the future of maritime STEM education in San Diego.
If successful, this effort will continue with our Mentor & Open House Day on August 1, 2026, followed by the launch of the RoboBuoy Challenge during the upcoming school year.
We invite teachers, engineers, makers, mentors, students, and STEM supporters to join us as we work to build a unique maritime robotics program for San Diego’s next generation of innovators.
Related Programs
⚓ RoboBuoy Challenge (Coming 2026-2027 School Year)
The San Diego Argonauts are currently working with educators, engineers, and industry professionals to develop the RoboBuoy Challenge, a maritime robotics competition designed for high school students throughout Southern California.
The challenge will encourage students to apply engineering, electronics, programming, fabrication, navigation, and teamwork skills to solve real-world maritime robotics problems in a fun and competitive environment.
Learn more:
⛵ Mentor & Open House Day – August 1, 2026
Students, teachers, parents, mentors, and community members are invited to visit the pond, meet Argonauts members, learn about model boating, RC sailing, and maritime STEM opportunities, and explore ways to get involved.
The event will provide an opportunity for prospective students and mentors to learn more about the upcoming RoboBuoy Challenge and other educational initiatives being developed by the San Diego Argonauts.
Learn more:
We look forward to a productive and exciting day of learning, collaboration, and maritime innovation.
