No matter the combination or the size of the pool, Washington Island School SeaPerch program participants keep swimming their way to Maryland for the international competition.

The state’s smallest school district will send two middle school teams to the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge in College Park, Maryland, after qualifying at the regional competition in Ashwaubenon last month.

Using underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), Team Hurricanes — made up of Devon DeJardin, Zac Gunnlaugsson and Landon Mann — took first place, while Team California Girls — made up of Annie Olcher, Tug Gunnlaugsson, Freya Sorensen and Penelope Monfort — finished second.

STEM teacher Miranda Dahlke said the two teams approached their work in different ways to find success in the pool.

Students work with organizations such as the Door County Maritime Museum during the school year and practice at the island’s recreation center to prepare for the competition.

Dahlke said some schools keep their teams together throughout middle school, but she likes that students with varying levels of experience in the competition and engineering get to work together each year.

Team Hurricanes and Team California Girls will have about two months to prepare and fine-tune their skills ahead of the competition, which will take place at the University of Maryland on May 30 and 31.

Picture courtesy of Miranda Dahlke