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8th Grade SeaPerch Team Places 5th In the World🌎 at International Championship for Underwater Robotics

8th Grade SeaPerch Team Places 5th In the World🌎 at International Championship for Underwater Robotics
four middle school students standing in front of banner for SeaPerch Challenge
PRS - Communications

Our eighth-grade SeaPerch team earned a coveted spot in the International SeaPerch Challenge, placing fifth overall out of 181 teams competing on three levels, representing 31 states and four countries. The global competition was held at the University of Maryland and represents the pinnacle of achievement in the SeaPerch underwater robotics program.

Team members Isaac Davison, Jonah Vieceli, Jeffrey Ding and Gryffin Wilson competed in a series of demanding events, including an obstacle course, a complex technical mission, and a scored Technical Design Report (only the highest scoring teams are allowed to present). Their performance showcased advanced robotics skills, creative problem-solving, and a strong command of engineering principles.

"This team competed against the best underwater robotics students in the world and prevailed," says Hunter Pashkow, head of the Pacific Ridge robotics programs. "We are so proud of their hard work and look forward to their continued success in robotics."

seaperch

SeaPerch is an integrated STEM education program that guides participants through a real-world engineering and design project centered around building an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle. The program uses hands-on methods to equip students and teachers with the resources needed to learn basic science and engineering concepts like tool safety, technical applications, problem solving, and teamwork.

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Head of School Commencement Address 2026
Head of School Commencement Address 2026

Families, Parents, Guests,

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees of Pacific Ridge School, thank you for joining us for Commencement, 2026 - the 16th in our school’s short history.

I began this year by talking with our faculty and staff about Artificial Intelligence (AI).  My message was clear, at least I hope it was.  AI is here; we don’t get to ignore it, and, if we are going to prepare our young adults for their future, we must begin to find ways to incorporate AI into our education, our Pacific Ridge education.  As I expected, that message was both embraced and found to be frustrating.  

I know, for example, that shortly after that opening talk, groups of faculty engaged excitedly in discussing how to engage our students in these emerging opportunities, while other groups of teachers actively said to one another, “No way, we are not going there.  We are about people, we are not about technology.” 

And, something that is amazing about this moment…  both are right.  

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