Like many engineering students, Potomac resident Rebecca Vincent wanted to put into practice the classroom lessons she’d been learning.
So the University of Maryland Student enrolled in a class which designs and builds a human-powered submarine. “It’s a technical elective,” Vincent said.
The result of her class’ year of work was on display last week at the International Human-Powered Submarine Races, held in the model basin at Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center, also known as David Taylor, between MacArthur Boulevard and the Clara Barton Parkway.
The races are sponsored by the foundation for Underwater Research and Education. “It’s an education in reality,” said Nancy Hussey, executive director of the races. “Here they can apply what they’re learning.”
The groups all design small submarines which are propelled by a person, typically using bicycle-style pedals. The subs then try to run a 100-meter course, remaining underwater the entire time.
Vincent’s class was broken up into groups, each group designed different aspects of the sub. “We designed all the planes,” Vincent said of her group. Planes might be more commonly though of as fins, the parts which allow the driver to steer the sub.
The University of Maryland’s Boat, the RSR Fourier, won first plac in its category with a speed of 4.916 knots.
This year’s race attracted 20 teams from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Many were affiliated with college engineering programs, but there were also two teams representing high schools, and several independent teams.
Churchill, which had a team previously, did not enter this year.
The important part to most participants is actually finishing. “It’s so nice to see something that you theorize actually built and working,” Vincent said.
“It’s just very rewarding to see them get their boat in the water,” said Ed Leibolt. Leibolt is an engineer at the facility and served as advisor for past Churchill teams.
Leibolt has been involved with the races since the first race in 1989, but he’s still impressed by the different designs. “It’s always just interesting to see these teams start with nothing.”
In recent years, the race has started reaching out to younger and younger groups. Organizers are hoping to inspire high school-aged students to pursue careers in the field.
“We’re tying to motivate young people to think about marine technology,” Hussey said.