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In a high school garage turned engineering lab, UNH President Elizabeth Chilton recently met with a team of scuba-certified students at Sanborn Regional High School (SRHS) who are building and racing human-powered submarines 鈥� thanks in part to a unique partnership with UNH.

The visit spotlighted a growing collaboration between the university and the Kingston school, demonstrating the power of hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and the impact of university-community partnerships that extend research and opportunity deep into New Hampshire communities. Chilton was joined by SRHS educators, administrators and local leaders for a firsthand look at the student-led innovation.

The SRHS submarine team began in 2022, led by special educator Jim Enright, and now includes 15 scuba-certified students, utilizing human-powered submarines. Since the team鈥檚 founding, it has partnered with UNH鈥檚 School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering for regular testing and training of their submarines at the Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory.

Training in the engineering tank at Chase involves a variety of experiments where simulating unobstructed and open water environments is required. The experimental learning gained during their training helped to ensure the team was prepared for competition with their submarine in the 2023 International Submarine Racesentry (ISR) in Bethesda, Maryland. The team earned second听place in its division and sixth听overall in the competition. Participating students have now completed work on a new streamlined hull for this year鈥檚 ISR in June.

At Chase, the site is equipped with state-of-the-art testing facilities for underwater and ocean engineering. Faculty conduct research in the areas of ocean engineering, ocean mapping, ocean acoustics, hydrogeology and hydrographic surveying. Additionally, graduate and undergraduate students have access at Chase for thesis and research work.

The morning鈥檚 visit at the high school began with a welcome from Enright, who provided an overview of the submarine team鈥檚 hands-on learning and increased awareness of STEM while emphasizing the importance of their partnership with UNH and crediting it for the growth of the team鈥檚 success. Following the presentation, SRHS students shared their firsthand experiences on the team, and this included the opportunity to show off the team鈥檚 submarines to Chilton.

鈥淚 am so impressed with the submarine team at Sanborn Regional High School,鈥� Chilton says. 鈥淯NH is proud of our work in the local communities we serve. This showcases how the university鈥檚 world-class research facilities and programs, like our Ocean Engineering Laboratory, have a meaningful local impact.鈥�

鈥淭he wonderful collaboration between the Sanborn Submariners and UNH has given the Sanborn Regional High School students the opportunity to engage in meaningful student-driven learning,鈥� adds听Enright. 鈥淲orking alongside some of the UNH researchers and having access to their premier facilities allows the students to explore a variety of career possibilities. This is a shining example of how New Hampshire public education and UNH are working together for a strong future.鈥�