Clarenville High School Wins Regional ROV competition

Clarenville High School claimed first place overall, Labrador Straits Academy placed second, and Holy Heart of Mary placed third during the MATE ROV competition at Memorial University’s Marine Institute

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 By Madeline Meadus

Clarenville High School claimed first place overall, Labrador Straits Academy placed second, and Holy Heart of Mary placed third during the MATE ROV competition at Memorial University’s Marine Institute. The top two teams qualify to participate in the Ranger class (high school) at the MATE international competition in Michigan, USA from June 19-21.

Students and mentors from thirty-four junior high and high school teams from Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island competed in the 2025 Regional Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition at the Marine Institute this weekend.

Teams designed and constructed an ROV to pilot in MI’s flume tank to complete a series of underwater tasks focused on solutions designed to monitor circulation, chemistry, biology and overall ocean health.

Teams competing in the Ranger class also vied for the opportunity to participate in the 2025 MATE International Competition in Alpena, Michigan, from June 19-21.

Ranger competition

Clarenville High School claimed first place overall, Labrador Straits Academy placed second and Holy Heart came third during Saturday’s competition. Both Clarenville High School and Labrador Straits Academy qualified and competed at last year’s International Competition.

Memorial University’s Eastern Edge Robotics and Western Wave Robotics teams are also preparing to qualify for the international competition in the Explorer and Pioneer classes respectively.

Eighteen teams competed at the Ranger level: Clarenville High School, Froude Avenue Community Centre, Gander Collegiate, Gonzaga High School, Heritage Collegiate, Holy Cross School, Holy Heart of Mary High School, Labrador Straits Academy, Mobile Central High, Mount Pearl Senior High School, O’Donel High School, Pasadena Academy, Roncalli Central, Sacred Heart School of Halifax, Trafalgar Castle School, Tricentia Academy and Charlottetown Rural High School.

Scout competition

In the Scout class, Heritage Collegiate claimed first place for the second year in a row. Centreville Academy placed second and St. Mark’s school finished in third place.

Sixteen teams competed at the Scout level: Centreville Academy, Clarenville Middle School, Frank Roberts Junior High, Heritage Collegiate, Holy Cross Elementary, Lakecrest Independent School, Macdonald Drive Junior High, Pasadena Academy, Random Island Academy, Roncalli Central High, Southwest Arm Academy, St. Lawrence Academy, St. Mark’s School, St. Matthew’s School, Tricentia Academy and Valmont Academy.

Awards

Liam Bent, Laureen Greene, Mark Spurrell, and Jaylin Harris were all awarded the Presentation Anchor for their skills demonstrated during the team presentation sessions.

Orpa Hawlader of Gonzaga High School won the Female Trailblazer award. The award recognizes women in STEM for their leadership and skill.

The Steve Brown Leadership award was presented to Natalie Mitchel of Holy Heart of Mary High School. This award recognizes a student who brings out the best in their teammates through their passion and dedication.

Labrador Straits Academy won first place in the Marketing Display category. Heritage Collegiate came second and O’Donel High School and Holy Heart of Mary High School tied for third.

In the Engineering Presentation category, Gander Collegiate claimed first place. Holy Heart of Mary placed second and Labrador Straits Academy came in third.

For product demonstrations, Clarenville High School took first place. Labrador Straits Academy placed second, followed by Holy Heart of Mary in third place.

The 2025 regional competition is supported by Equinor, Hibernia Management and Development Company Limited, Oceaneering, Cenovus Energy, DOF Subsea, Cooke Aquaculture, GRi Simulations Inc., Sonardyne, Cahill, EnergyNL, Deep Trekker, ASI Group, Kraken Robotics, SEAMOR Marine Ltd., Sub C Imagining, Subsea 7, Voyis, TCarta, Angler Solutions, Marine Technology Society, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.