Information provided by Stockbridge Jr./Sr. High School FFA program

The Stockbridge FFA Underwater Robotics Team has been invited to conduct research, test equipment, and participate in an educational outreach project in the Dominican Republic, Feb. 22-28.  

This project aims to inspire, engage, and educate students while providing a unique research experience in the Caribbean islands. The project has three major goals:

• Connect with a school in the Dominican Republic to share knowledge and culture between students while conducting a STEM program.
• Conduct a Remotely Operative Vehicle (ROV) Workshop for the Robotics class at the Puntacana International School.
• Conduct ocean and reef monitoring off the coast of the Dominican Republic. 

Stockbridge FFA members traveling to the Dominican Republic include Lucy Chapman, Daulton Diffenbaugh, William Gancer, Anya Harden, Owen House, Haley Warren, and Taurin Phillips. The team’s faculty mentor is Stockbridge Jr./Sr. High School teacher and FFA advisor, Bob Richards.

The Dominican Republic is a vibrant Caribbean nation on the island of Hispaniola, known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and tropical climate. Its capital and largest city is Santo Domingo. Two countries share the island—the Dominican Republic to the east and Haiti to the west. The Dominican Republic offers diverse geography—from mountains to arid valleys—and a unique blend of history and modern life.  

As mentioned above, Stockbridge students will be working with students at the Puntacana International School. The school’s mission is “To provide learning experiences to enable students to reach their academic, leadership and entrepreneurial potential through critical thinking and to encourage a socio-ecological consciousness.”

The Stockbridge FFA students who will be traveling to the Dominican Republic will spend the next two months preparing for this international travel experience and learning how to teach the technical skills necessary for students in the Dominican Republic to build a new ROV. 

About Stockbridge FFA
Stockbridge Future Farmers of America is dedicated to preparing students for careers in agriculture, leadership, and service through hands-on learning, competitions, and community engagement. The chapter is part of the Michigan FFA Association and the National FFA Organization, which serves more than 950,000 members nationwide. To follow their adventures, on Facebook, look for Stockbridge FFA.