STOCKBRIDGE, Mich., October 13, 2026 – The Stockbridge FFA’s Underwater Robotics Team  has been invited to conduct coral research, test newly designed sensor systems, and conduct an educational outreach project in The Dominican Republic, November  14-20, 2026.  

For the past seven months Stockbridge students have been working to redesign NASA’s 

STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) sensors  to monitor coral health. The STELLA-Q2 features three spectrometer sensors that measure irradiance in the visible and near-infrared spectrum.  Our goal is to develop and automate a method to monitor the health of coral in the laboratory, coral  nursery and on the reef. 

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: (1) to connect with a school in The Dominican Republic to share knowledge and culture between students, while conducting a STEM program. (2) to conduct a student-designed coral research project at the Marine Innovation Center just outside of Punta Cana. (3) to test a new sensor system designed by the Stockbridge students inspired by the NASA Stella sensors. 

While in The Dominican Republic, Stockbridge students will be working with students at the Punta Cana International School. Puntacana International 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.”

Stockbridge FFA members traveling to The Dominican Republic include: Daulton Diffenbaugh, Anya Harden, Owen House, Haley Warren, Rein Puckett, Laura Humrich and Klayre Smith .  The team’s faculty mentor is Stockbridge Jr/Sr. High School Teacher and FFA Advisor Bob Richards.

The Dominican Republic (DR) is a vibrant Caribbean nation on the island of Hispaniola, known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and tropical climate, with its capital and largest city being Santo Domingo. Sharing the island with Haiti, the DR offers diverse geography from mountains to arid valleys and a unique blend of history and modern life.  

Students will spend the next month preparing to travel to The Dominican Republic while learning how to teach the technical skills necessary for students in the DR to build a STELLA-Q2 sensor. 

For further information contact Mr. Richards  (517) 851-7770 Ext. 6204 or richardsr@panthernet.net