The International Submarine Races (ISR) the first 19 years plus the next 19 years and beyond

The International Submarine Race (ISR) presents opportunities to students to achieve excellence in areas of marine technology and ocean engineering. The quality of the technical expertise of our young students tends to be gradually decreasing. There exist too many distractions like peers pressure, expertise in athletic endeavors, an excess of time and money, or apathy. There also exists the need to strengthen and enhance the scientific and technical literacy of our students. If there is excitement in an activity, the student becomes motivated and will tend to exert his/her best efforts. Also, if there is a challenge to excel, the motivation factor increases. The ISR was conceived as a “hook” to interest talented and motivated students to become involved in marine technology and ocean engineering. The ISR is an engineering design competition open to high schools, colleges, and university students, and individuals. The focus of the ISR is on the engineering principles and technologies involved in the design and operation of a human powered submarine. The paper will address how the ISR provides the stimulus for engineering education that attracts favorable public and academic attention. Examples of some of the successes achieved to date will be presented.