Underwater Dreams 2014

Underwater Dreams, narrated by Michael Peña, tells the incredible true story of how the sons of undocumented Mexican immigrants discovered their talent for building underwater robots and challenging the prestigious MIT in the process.

The journey began when two passionate high school science teachers, driven by a sense of adventure, made the bold decision to enroll their Title I school—where many students lived in poverty—into a demanding underwater robotics competition. Sponsored by NASA and the Office of Naval Research among others, the competition was not for the faint-hearted. Though only four boys initially signed up, their excitement was contagious, inspiring them to reach out to oceanic engineers and military contractors for assistance in their robot’s design. However, they soon learned that the high-tech flotation foam required for their underwater robot was far beyond their limited budget; all they could afford were some PVC pipes from Home Depot and a roll of duct tape.

After a few test runs with their aptly named robot, Stinky, the team felt hopeful that they wouldn’t finish at the bottom of the competition. With that optimism, they squeezed into a worn-out van and traveled to the event. Upon arrival, they were greeted by an intimidating scene—college teams clad in matching uniforms, showcasing robots funded by major corporations such as Exxon Mobil. A few nerves crept in as the boys prepared to launch Stinky for his test run, only to discover that their PVC construction was not watertight. The robot started leaking and ultimately sank.

In a moment of creative camaraderie, the boys put their minds together and devised a rather humorous yet ingenious solution. Just 12 hours later, equipped with eight super-plus tampons to stop the leaks in Stinky’s mechanical frame, they lowered the robot back into the pool. This time, Stinky not only stayed afloat but performed exceptionally well.

Fast forward to the end of the competition, and the results were nothing short of astonishing. This underdog team of undocumented Mexican boys accomplished what many thought impossible. Yet, this competition was merely the beginning of a remarkable journey, paving the way for a legacy that exceeded anyone’s wildest expectations.