The BEST experience is like an education greenhouse; what happens during six weeks of competition would take an entire
year in the classroom.
~ Science Teacher, Hoover (AL)
Middle and High School Robotics Competition
Program Overview
Take plywood, PVC pipe of various sizes, threaded rod, a box filled with screws and other hardware, an irrigation valve cover, piano wire, aluminum paint grid, a bicycle inner tube, something called a micro-energy chain system, an assortment of other odds-and-ends, and give it all to a team of students with the challenge to design and build a functioning, competitive robot in six short weeks.
What do you get?
BEST
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
the excitement of a basketball game the strategy of a chess match the intellectual challenge of a science fair the pressure of a competitive sporting event plus hundreds of screaming fans, pep bands, cheerleaders, music, dancing, and mascots
Our mission to engage, excite, and inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like science- and engineering-based robotics competition.
Our Core Values
Students are the sole participants and primary decision-makers, designers, and builders Any student may participate The program is free to schoolsno fee Equipment and materials are provided at no cost to participating schools Any school may participate regardless of type, size, location, location, or socioeconomic status
Our Core Objectives
Provide students with a real-world engineering experience that incorporates the practical application of math and science Prepare students to be technologically literate and thus better prepared to enter the workforce Help students develop leadership, project management, teamwork, and organizational skills Develop students confidence and competence through self-directed learning, decision-making, abstract thinking, and problem-solving
1993 began as a single event for high schools in Grayson County, Texas 1998 non-profit established 2010 41 community-based sites in 15 states 2010 Over 4000 volunteers, 850-plus schools, and 12,500plus students
BEST Facts
The students, parents, mentors, community, and I have become not only a team during the 42 days of BEST, but remain a team throughout the year.
~ Science Teacher, Mobile, AL
Teams also compete in oral presentation technical writing exhibit design CAD design website design video production spirit and sportsmanship and more
The Engineering Design Process
The fundamental problem-solving tool BEST teachers and mentors use to help guide the students through the designand-construction phase of the competition.
Engineers and other technical professionals serve a vital role as team mentors, shepherding the team through the design and construction phase. By working side-by-side with an engineer from a local industry, students learn what engineers do engineering is demystified.
BEST is less about building robots and more about teaching students how to analyze and solve problems. What BEST students learn is what industry needs in its future workforce and what communities need in their future leaders.
BEST Divisions
Robotics each participating school fields a robotics team; teams must also submit a Project Engineering Notebook that describes how the Engineering Design Process was utilized in the design of their robot BEST Award the highest achievement in BEST, this optional competition includes an oral presentation; educational exhibit; engineering notebook; spirit & sportsmanship; and robot performance
Competition Events
Kick Off Day (September) game challenge and playing field unveiled; the six-week long design-and-build phase begins Mall Day (early October) typically during the 4th week, teams practicedrive their robots on the playing field set up at a local mall Game Day (late October) the actual competition takes place; winners of both the Robotics and BEST Award divisions advance to a regional championship Regional Championship (December) winning teams from all hubs within a BEST geographical region compete for the regional title National Championship (following April) winners of the regional championships compete for the national title
See BEST in Action! [Link] The BEST Reason video
For more information about BEST, contact: Dr. George Blanks, Executive Director Samuel Ginn College of Engineering 217 Ramsay Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 blankgw@[Link] (334) 703.0077