A science outreach group from Dalhousie University will launch an underwater remotely operated vehicle

On March 14, a science outreach group from Dalhousie University will launch an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in the Halifax Harbour.

"It's the idea that it's bringing underwater here, to us on the surface. It's an exciting way to use technology," says Emily Thompson, spokesperson for SuperNOVA, a non-profit that which promotes education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to youth.

The launch will be the first of its kind that the public is able to see in real-time, and Thompson says there will be a livestream back to the surface for the public to see.

"We'll have to keep an eye out for all the local plants and animals," she says. "There may even be some shipwrecks that we might be able to see, so we're really excited."

The ROV is named Polaris, will test the waters for the first time around 12:30.

"We've got a tether that enables us to keep that communication between us up on the surface and the underwater ROV," says Thompson.

Polaris will stick to the main part of the harbour and won't go far, but marine experts will be on-site to help explain what the ROV is seeing.

"It'll be fairly local around the area of the harbour, so you can see exactly what's happening just underneath your feet," adds Thompson.

🌊 We have a shiny new #ROV and we’re inviting you and your family to join us in the first ever harbour launch! Come and watch us submerge Polaris on Saturday March 14th from 12pm. We’ll have info on what you see, as well as Ocean Science experts to explain it! 🎉 #HalifaxHarbour pic.twitter.com/yiwDE2LsIe — SuperNOVA (@SuperNOVAatDal) February 13, 2020

The event will be kid-friendly, and SuperNOVA plans to continue their outreach after the main event, partnering with local schools who want to see what Polaris is up to.

"We're actually going to be using it as part of our sea-to-school program," Thomspon says. "It's a new selection of activities and workshops and programming that we're going to be working with teachers in the area to be able to bring it into classrooms."

Thompson thinks it's a great way for youth and the public to learn more about what's under the surface of the water.

"The idea is it's making what happens underwater a lot more accessible, so it's not quite so mysterious, and we're learning a little more science behind what's happening underwater," she adds.

The launch party runs Saturday afternoon, March 14, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.