STOCKBRIDGE, Mich. — Eight Stockbridge High School students and their teacher are taking their custom-built underwater robot to the Micronesian island chain of Palau to search for a B-24 bomber shot down during World War II, according to MLive. The students raised $40,000 to pay for the trip to search for the remains of American servicemen.
“This will be the ultimate test,” Buck Poszywak, a junior on the team, told MLive. “It’s really exciting. We’ve already been successful in building the robot and raising the money for the trip, but it would be sweet to find that plane.”
The students have been working since September on an underwater robot capable of diving 500 feet, according to MLive. It has several commercial-grade components including sonar donated by SeaView Systems Inc. of Dexter.
“It’s a pretty high-tech robot for high school students,” Bob Richards, the teacher who is overseeing the project, told MLive.
MLive reports that while in Palau the students will also do some sightseeing and snorkeling, as well as visit the U.S. Embassy and a couple of local high schools.
SOURCE:
MLive.com, “Stockbridge students ready to test underwater robot on World War II recovery mission in Palau,” March 21, 2012
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Science, “Michigan High Schools Excel at Robotics Competition,” June 9, 2009
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