Promote the growth of hubs across the U.S., thus maximizing the “pipeline” of future engineers, scientists, and technical professionals.

Increase participation of women and minority students in rural and inner city schools.

Enlist more colleges/universities and corporations to become collaborative educational partners with BEST.

Inspire student interest in engineering, science, and technology

Motivate students to pursue careers in such fields

Engage students in exciting, fun science-based activity

Enlist business/industry to become collaborative educational partners

Increases understanding of technical concepts and scientific principles

Provides real-world engineering challenge

Encourages abstract thought, self-directed learning, and decision-making

Promotes team building, good sportsmanship, and ethical conduct

Produces pride in success

Enhances teaching/ teacher effectiveness

Reinforces classroom learning

Creates real-world academic challenge

Increases students' interest in science

Exposes students to new career opportunities

Provides competition/fun

Promotes school spirit and a sense of "community"

What BEST Says About Itself

Taken from the official BEST Robotics fact sheet, this information is an informative read for those unfamiliar with the competition.

•  BEST Robotics Inc. (BRI) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization based in Dallas, Texas.

• The mission of BEST is to inspire and motivate students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in an exciting, challenging, and fun robotics competition.

• There is no entrance or participation fee for schools to compete in BEST.

• Students have six weeks to design and build a remotely controlled robot that outperforms other robots in a head-to-head game-like competition.

• Engineers and other technical professionals from industry serve as team mentors who advise and guide students through the design and construction of their machines.

• BEST features two parallel competitions:
  + Robotics (the game itself)
  + BEST Award, presented to the team that best embodies the concept of boosting engineering, science, and technology

• Anyone - college, university, company, individuals, or combinations thereof - can sponsor a hub. A hub must serve no less than 8 schools/teams. Average first-year costs for running a 24-team hub is approximately 28,000. Subsequent year' costs are considerably less.

• Individuals or groups desiring to start new hubs are required to attend BRI's New Hub Workshop, an annual, one-day event held in mid-November.

• Since its establishment in 1992, BEST participation has rapidly expanded to much of the United States.
  + see map
  + see chart

• Over 8,000 students from 600 schools participate
  BEST attracts a high percentage of minorities: 32% female, and 32% ethnic minorities

• The BEST award includes a project summary notebook, table display, oral presentation, and spirit and sportsmanship

• A team can easily participate at very little cost.
   

What We Say About BEST

Ohh, BRI and their modesty.  Sometimes it's hard to get the real idea of BEST from a few facts.  The following list adds in everything the guys at the top found superfluous. 

•  BEST isn't just a passing thing.  It's a lifestyle.  Students will plan all year for a couple months - everything from spirit streamers to purchasing a new power tool to electing a secretary.

•  Unlike most clubs and sports, Robotics really has something for everyone.  It offers just enough structure for teenage creativity to get on track.  From there, the possibilities are endless.

•  Yes, a team's spirit is judged but even if it weren't the supporters would be just as enthusiastic.

•  Pretty people join the robotics club.  It's like a rule or something.

•  Lasting friendships can be built on the ground of BEST.  Because a team may make up to 4 trips together each year, it provides a way for people from other towns to meet and get to know each other really well.  Lebanon has had particularly good luck with this phenomena.

•  There is no better way to develop leadership and team-building characteristics than through programs like BEST. 

Oh come now, that's the end of the list already?  No, it goes on for a very long time.  Many other points declared or alluded to throughout the site.  Of course, the best way to find out is to learn for yourself!  No school should be deterred by registration fees or low participation.  Every student involved in BEST is changed for the better.  A small investment in BEST will last a lifetime.

(This page will not appear properly in Mozilla Firefox.  Sorry.  I tried.)