By CHARLES BOLDES
Student Reporter
When one hears robots and competitions together, he might think of robots fighting each other, but imagine this: a competition where students form groups and work together to accomplish a goal with a robot which they have built together.
Over the past 21 years, an organization called BEST has been organizing robotics competitions across the Midwest. BEST stands for Boosting, Engineering, Science, and Technology. It’s a free middle school and high school robotics competition in which materials and other equipment are provided to groups at no cost.
Each year the game rules are changed. BEST began in 1993, when Ted Mahler and Steve Marum, two Texas Instruments engineers, showed a crowd of high school students a video of a student creating a robot. They had noticed how engrossed the students were, so they decided to start a competition. After obtaining approval from Texas Instruments management, North Texas BEST was created. The first competition was held in 1993, with 14 teams and 221 students. Since then, BEST has continued to grow while maintaining core values like no entry fees and student-led design and construction. Since 2012, there has been over 875 teams, 46 hubs, and over four regionals.
Northwestern professor Steven Maier, who helps with the competition, said that his most memorable moment last year was “watching mascot and coach dance off to songs like ‘Cotton Eyed Joe,’ ‘The Macarena’ and ‘YMCA.’ I think it’s a great recruiting tool.”
Participants compete for several awards. One award is the Game Award, given to the team that accomplishes the most tasks. Another prize, the BEST award, is the most sought-after because judges evaluate the robots’ performances, and judge each team’s spirit and sportsmanship.
Table displays are presented like an exhibition booth. Students do an oral presentation in front of professionals as a sales pitch. Throughout the competition the students keep a notebook of everything that they do.
“When I realized how much team work is expected and required for this event/activity,” NWOSU psychology professor Karen Linstrum said, “team members must communicate well to succeed.”
The competition will start Sept. 20 in Alva.
Northwestern officials encourage students to volunteer to help with the event. Linstrum said, “I cherish the moments when I hear students tell me, ‘This is kind of fun. I wish we had had Robotics in my high school. This is all right.’”