Wareham Middle School’s Junior Engineering Club made a splash with underwater remote operation vehicles in the Marine Advanced Technology Education Regional Competition at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Saturday, April 23.

Two teams consisting of 12 middle schoolers worked tirelessly since January, even committing time during school vacations, to complete the fully-functioning designs they created using donated PVC piping. It was the club's first competition.

The contest was inspired by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill off the coast of Louisiana. The mission: Design and create remote operation vehicles cap a leaking oil well, turn off the valve, and collect specimens. Teams were also required to create a poster about their business plans.

Wareham's Team FLAMP and Team Viking competed against six other middle school teams from across southern New England.

Despite propeller problems, Team Viking gave a valiant effort. The team turned off the valve and collected one specimen. It shined in the poster display competition, however, where it took home first place.

FLAMP, an acronym created with the first letters of the team-members' last names, was also able to turn off the valve and collect nine specimens from the pool. However, the effort wasn't enough to place.

"Both teams did great," said club advisor Nichole Stahmer. "It was a top-notch effort."

The Junior Engineering Club formed in November after a workshop at Bristol Community College piqued the interest of students Austin Stahmer, Jonathan Warden, Joey Nash, and Evan Russell. Stahmer, who is Austin's mother and a Wareham High School teacher, was on board to make the club a reality and took on the role as advisor.

“I noticed a lack of hands-on learning at the school,” Stahmer said.

In addition to technical skills, the club helps students develop the ability to problem-solve, think critically, and work as part of a team.

What began with four students has grown to 25 members. Stahmer said the reason the club has gained so much popularity is because it's fun.

“It’s not just about sitting in a classroom,” she continued.

Stahmer said she hopes the group will compete in a wide range of upcoming robotics competitions and plans to bring the club to the high school in the future.