Student-Built ROV for Local Non-Profit Ocean Conservation

We are a team of students from Aliso Niguel High School—Amir Moin, Ben Babinski, and Ravi Nair—brought together by a shared passion for engineering, robotics, and our local environment. As project manager, Amir is driven by a love for STEM and the ocean. Ben, a member of the local First robotics team, brings his robotics expertise, while Ravi’s enthusiasm for computer science and learning fuels our progress. Together, we’re collaborating with the Laguna Ocean Foundation to design, build, and test an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Our inspiration came from wanting to use our technical skills to make a real difference in our community. We noticed that many local bodies of water are often overlooked, yet they play a crucial role in our coastal ecosystem. By developing this ROV, we hope to explore and document these environments, capturing underwater video and collecting data on water conditions and marine habitats. This information will be used to support ongoing research and educational efforts in ocean conservation with our partner organization. Our goal is to help others understand the importance of these ecosystems through educational outreach.

We have already dedicated countless hours to extremely thorough research—studying underwater robotics, comparing components, and learning what it takes to build a functional ROV. Now, we’re ready to move from planning to hands-on development. The funds we raise will go directly toward developing essential components like thrusters, cameras, and control systems, and bringing this project to life. Your contribution will help us learn, build, and make a lasting impact—both in our education and in the health of our local waters.