Students from the countywide Robotics Club recently set sail aboard the legendary Western Flyer, once used by John Steinbeck and Doc Ricketts on their 1940 expedition to the Sea of Cortez. The voyage offered students an unforgettable opportunity to explore marine technology firsthand and see how robotics and ocean science come together in the real world.
Throughout the day, students deployed their own remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designed and built by the Angry Otters team that placed second at the Monterey Bay Regional Competition. They also learned how the Western Flyer’s crew uses their Poseidon Robotics Lanai ROV for ocean exploration and research, as demonstrated by Marine Technician Jenni Johnson.
The experience included a presentation from Johann Voigtlander, an engineer and ROV pilot with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), who shared what it’s like to work on research expeditions in environments as remote as the Arctic. Students also met Rials Christenson, the Western Flyer’s Education Manager, who described the Flyer’s ongoing research projects and helped coordinate the visit.
The collaboration between the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, X Academy, and the Western Flyer Foundation gave students a direct look at how robotics, marine science, and engineering intersect—and inspired ideas for future student-built tools that could support ocean exploration.
About the Robotics Club
The Santa Cruz County Robotics Club is a free, countywide program open to all high school students—no experience required. In partnership with X Academy, the club teaches skills in robotics, coding, 3D design, and electronics while fostering teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
Club members design and build underwater robots that compete in the MATE ROV Competition, where Santa Cruz County teams have earned top honors, including third place in the MATE ROV World Championships two years in a row.
Students interested in joining the club or learning more can visit the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website for upcoming opportunities to get involved.