2017BEST RoboticsOverviewJANNE ACKERMANEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BEST OF TEXAS ROBOTICS

What is BEST Robotics?

►BOOSTING►ENGINEERING►SCIENCE &► TECHNOLOGY

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2015

BEST Core Principles

►BEST was originally conceived as and remains a project-based learning system

►BEST is a not for profit, volunteer-based organization►Any school may participate regardless of type, size, location, or

socio-economic status►Any eligible student may participate►Students are the sole participants and primary decision-makers,

designers, and builders► Teachers and industry mentors provide guidance only

►Equipment and materials (kits) provided at no cost to participating schools

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BEST 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 and critical thinking, and problem solving

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The BEST Program

►Local BEST organizations (hubs) host the six-week program for area teams during fall semester►Kickoff – Hub introduces the annual game and playing field and

provides kits to participating teams►Demo Day – Teams test and demonstrate their robots on the actual

game field in a public venue ►Game Day – Competition day for all teams and their robots

►Top teams advance to regional/state championship

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Two Competitions

►Game [required]► Project engineering notebook► Robot performance

►BEST Award [optional**] – A multi-faceted competition comprised of five key components► Project engineering notebook► Robot performance► Marketing presentation► Exhibit display and student interviews► Spirit and sportsmanship

► Teams consider winning the BEST Award to be the top honor

6Copyright © 2017 BEST Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved**Required for UIL

Robotics Game

►Based on annual real-world theme►2017 game: “Crossfire: Search and Rescue”

►Four (4) teams at a time compete in a series of 3-minute, round robin matches

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Robot Kits

►All teams get identical kits► Creates a level playing field

► Simulates real world constraints of limited resources

►Consumable kits► Raw materials from which students will build

their robots

► Plywood, aluminum rods, rubber bands, bicycle inner tube, PVC, elbows and tees, glue, screws, hinges, angle brackets, etc.

►Returnable kits► Electronics, microprocessor, batteries, servos,

motors, motor controllers, joystick, etc.

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BEST Robotics Kits

►All teams get identical kits► Creates a level playing field► Simulates real world constraints of limited resources

►Consumable kits► Raw materials from which students will build their robots► Plywood, aluminum rods, rubber bands, bicycle inner tube, PVC, elbows

and tees, glue, screws, hinges, angle brackets, etc.►Returnable kits

► Electronics, microprocessor, batteries, servos, motors, motor controllers, joystick, etc.

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Identical Kits, Unique Robots

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►A 12-16 week program during the spring semester►Components for each weekly activity include:

► Introduction► Resources► Brainstorming► Writing► BEST Connection► Community Connection► Bloom’s Taxonomy► Workforce Skills

Educational Resource: bESTology

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