Metro New Orleans middle school students recently spent four days exploring engineering topics and creating projects to demonstrate those concepts as part of the University of New Orleans Robotic Eel Camp. The camp, also known as PrivatEEL Camp, is in its fifth year.
 
The campers learned about 3D modeling by designing and assembling their own fidget spinners, building and racing wind powered cars, and learned concepts in civil engineering by building and testing the strength of straw towers, among other topics.

The camp, led by UNO's Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering professor Brandon Taravella, was funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research, and held June 3-6.

“Our purpose of the camp is to expose campers to as many aspects of engineering as possible,” Taravella said. “We do this by exposing them to the Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering and engaging them in a series of hands-on activities. We'd like the campers to know what different types of engineers do so that they may one day consider a career in engineering.”

The students also toured UNO’s engineering labs and, as a culminating project, created their own robotic eel. Taravella is the recipient of several grants for his research into hydrodynamic propulsion that led to the creation of the robotic eel for use as an underwater drone, to search for mines and in data collection.

The camp ended with students testing their own robotic eels in the University’s Recreation & Fitness Center pool in front of their family and friends.