300 points total (30% of overall BEST score).

XX Points for EP, XX points for design creativity, XX points for Analysis, XX points for

Everyone's Favourite: The Engineering Notebook!

Constituting 30% of the overall BEST score, the Engineering Notebook is something a team should concentrate very seriously on.  The Notebook is often seen as a "pain in the neck," a cruel trick the founders of BEST play on poor students to distract them from building the robot or decorating the table display - you know, the fun stuff.

In reality, the Engineering Notebook is invaluable to a BEST team.  It gives the "writers" on the team something to do by incorporating an introduction essay explaining the game theme.  Teams for Graphic Design and teams for Robot Construction that typically do not mix have a chance to work together.  A good notebook can get a team into a wildcard round when all other chances seem hopeless.

At its fundamental level - and this is why BRI actually requires the notebook - the Engineering Notebook helps teams have efficient plans for their robot.  By making students take a minute to document brainstorming, make informed decisions on design and materials, analyze strategy, and test ideas with CAD and prototypes, the notebook is a priceless tool for BEST teams.  Without such thorough "checkpoints," construction could be easily rushed, leading to poor performance and even robot failure.

So pay attention to your notebook.  Don't wait until the last minute.

BEST Notebook Guidelines

Lebanon developed a great strategy concerning the Engineering Notebook, which seemed to pay off, earning very high scores at both the hub and regional competition.  The formula is by no means fool-proof and is subject to change at the slightest whim, but useful, regardless.  Remember, every judge is different.  One may give full points for a section and another give none.  The goal is to follow instructions closely and not let that happen too often.

Do not forget the Front Page!  Yeah, it may sound silly, but small things like cover sheets, numbering pages, and line spacing can make or break your points and don't think judges don't pay attention.  Don't forget the small details, especially the cover sheet elements like team number and teacher contacts because they are sometimes important for the judge's use.

Wanna see the 05 Lebanon Robotics Cover Page?  Yes you do.  You just don't know it yet.

Identify the Writers.  Professional summaries may not have to use by-lines, but it helps if you can put a name to a notebook.

Start with the Essay.  It makes a good lead into all the technical stuff.  If possible, get one of the better writers of the team to work on this part.  Do all you can - research, good form and grammar - it is worth 40 points, after all.

Last year Tina wrote the Mission to Hubble Essay.  It won full points at every competition.  Check it out for yourself.

Follow the Engineering Process!  Though they've never really defined the Engineering Process for us in clear terms, we are expected to follow