BEST Robotics

BEST Robotics
Name	BEST Robotics
Founded	1993
Founder	Texas Instruments (original), Dr. Rita J. Woolley (key early leader)
Type	Nonprofit educational robotics competition
Headquarters	Dallas, Texas
Region served	United States
Focus	STEM enrichment, robotics, engineering design

BEST Robotics is a non-profit program that organizes interscholastic robotics competitions for middle school and high school students across the United States. The program emphasizes hands-on engineering, rapid prototyping, teamwork, and outreach to underrepresented communities through regional events, national championships, and partnerships with corporations, universities, and school districts.

History

BEST Robotics originated in 1993 with support from Texas Instruments and local educators, developing into a network that expanded across regions including Texas, Ohio, New York, Arizona, Michigan, and California. Early collaborations involved institutions such as Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, and University of Texas at Dallas, integrating curricular elements inspired by programs like FIRST Robotics Competition and VEX Robotics Competition. Funding and sponsorship models drew upon corporate partners like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Intel Corporation, and philanthropic organizations such as the Gates Foundation and local community foundations. Over time, BEST events became linked with municipal and state education initiatives, with participation intersecting with districts including Dallas Independent School District and Houston Independent School District. Prominent educators and engineers—some associated with NASA, National Science Foundation, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers—have contributed to governance and curriculum development. BEST’s evolution paralleled trends in STEM policy influenced by legislation like the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act which increased emphasis on hands-on learning. Regional archives and alumni networks include connections to companies such as General Motors, Boeing, 3M, and academic partners like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Organization and Governance

BEST events are organized by regional non-profit boards, school coordinators, and volunteers drawn from corporations and universities including Southern Methodist University, University of Houston, Ohio State University, Purdue University, and Stanford University. Governance structures mirror nonprofit best practices promoted by groups such as BoardSource and reporting standards aligned with state-level registrars like the Texas Secretary of State and California Secretary of State. Funding streams commonly include corporate sponsorships from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Amazon, Google LLC, and local businesses, as well as in-kind support from manufacturers such as Rockwell Automation and Bosch. Volunteer roles often attract professionals from IEEE, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Women Engineers, and alumni from competitions like FIRST Robotics Competition. Regional directors coordinate with school systems—e.g., Dallas Independent School District and Cleveland Metropolitan School District—and higher-education partners such as University of Michigan and California Institute of Technology to host events and mentor teams.

Competition Structure

Each season features a theme-based game released simultaneously to participating schools, with events hosted at venues including convention centers and campuses like University of Texas at Dallas, Ohio State University, Arizona State University, and University of Southern California. Tournament formats combine qualification rounds and elimination brackets similar to structures used in FIRST Robotics Competition and VEX Robotics Competition, while awards mirror criteria used by organizations such as National Academy of Engineering and Project Lead The Way. Teams register through regional organizers affiliated with state education agencies, competing for advancement to regional championships and a national-level event that has drawn delegations from cities like Dallas, Texas, Cleveland, Ohio, Phoenix, Arizona, and San Diego, California. Logistics often involve partnerships with transportation providers, catering by regional vendors, and volunteer management modeled after major events hosted by SXSW and Maker Faire.

Robots and Game Design

Robots are built under time-constrained rules using standardized kits, parts, and tools; suppliers have included companies such as VEX Robotics, AndyMark, McMaster-Carr, and TETRIX (Pitsco Education). Rules and game manuals are released by design committees composed of engineers and educators with affiliations to NASA, Lockheed Martin, Intel Corporation, and academic institutions like MIT and Georgia Institute of Technology. Designs emphasize mechanisms familiar to robotics competitions—drive trains, manipulators, sensors from Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, and control systems like Arduino and Raspberry Pi—while integrating safety standards promoted by Occupational Safety and Health Administration and event guidelines consistent with National Safety Council recommendations. Past games have required tasks analogous to challenges seen in FIRST Robotics Competition and historical competitions such as the DARPA Grand Challenge, testing navigation, object manipulation, and cooperative play.

Education and Outreach

BEST engages students through mentorship, curriculum modules, and outreach programs connected to universities and non-profits including Carnegie Mellon University, University of Texas, Smithsonian Institution, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Programs align with workforce development goals championed by agencies like the National Science Foundation and corporate workforce initiatives from Boeing and General Motors. Outreach targets underrepresented communities with partnerships involving Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Society of Black Engineers, and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapters at campuses such as Georgia State University and University of Florida. Professional development for teachers has been offered in collaboration with entities like Project Lead The Way and state education service centers, while alumni have progressed to careers at organizations including NASA, Apple Inc., Microsoft, and Tesla, Inc..

Awards and Recognition

Awards at competitions recognize technical achievement, presentation, teamwork, and outreach, paralleling honors in competitions like FIRST Robotics Competition and academic awards from institutions such as IEEE student branches and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Notable recognitions have been presented by corporate partners like Lockheed Martin and academic sponsors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University. Alumni and mentors associated with regional programs have received fellowships and grants from bodies including the National Science Foundation, Fulbright Program, and corporate innovation awards from Intel Corporation and Google.org.

Category:Robotics competitions