BEST History
The idea for a BEST competition originated in 1993 when two Texas Instruments (TI) engineers, Ted Mahler and Steve Marum, were serving as guides for Engineering Day at their company site in Sherman, Texas. Together with a group of high school students, they watched a video of freshmen building a robot in Dr. Woody Flowers' class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The high school students were so interested that Ted and Steve said, "Why don't we do this?"
After correspondence with MIT, the idea was presented to TI management. With enthusiastic approval from TI officials, North Texas BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) was born. After learning that a San Antonio group had formed a similar program, the two sites decided to form “hubs” (competition sites) and meet for their own version of a “state playoff.”
Since those early years, BEST has steadily grown as word of its excitement and unique ability to demystify science and engineering spread. The following chart provides further evidence of its growth and popularity:
| Year | Contest | Hubs | Schools | Students |
| 1993 | PVC Insanity | 2 | 14 | 221 |
| 1994 | Bumble Rumble | 3 | 23 | 495 |
| 1995 | TOTALly AweSUM | 5 | 81 | 1005 |
| 1996 | Block 'n' Load | 6 | 123 | 2000 |
| 1997 | Dynamite Duel | 7 | 150 | 2400 |
| 1998 | Toxic Troubles | 11 | 191 | 3128 |
| 1999 | Rocket Race - The Alien Escape | 14 | 252 | 4130 |
| 2000 | Pandemonium in the Smithsonian" | 16 | 292 | 4672 |
| 2001 | RAD to the Core | 20 | 450+ | 5000+ |
| 2002 | Warp X | 20 | 475+ | 5000+ |
| 2003 | Transfusion Confusion | 25 | 500+ | 6000+ |
In 1995, Texas BEST became an annual event sponsored by Texas Instruments and Texas A&M University, site of BEST’s regional championship, Texas BEST.
In 1997, BEST organizers incorporated BEST as a non-profit organization, BEST Robotics, Inc. (BRI).
In 2001, Accenture and Boeing joined the Texas BEST team as corporate sponsors.
- BEST Robotics Inc. (BRI) is a non-profit, volunteer organization based in Dallas, TX. Started in 1993 with 14 competing schools and 221 students.
Today BEST has over 700 middle and high schools and over 10,000 students participating each fall. - There is no fee for schools to compete in BEST.
- BEST features two parallel competitions:
1. A robotics game, which is based upon an annual theme with four teams competing at once in a series of three-minute, round-robin matches.
2. The BEST Award, which is presented to the team that best embodies the concept of Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology. Elements include a project summary notebook, oral presentation, table display, and spirit and sportsmanship. - Each school is provided kits of equipment and parts, a set of game rules, and given six weeks to design, build, and test a small Radio/Controlled (R/C) robot that outperforms other robots.
- Winning teams from local competition sites (called “hubs”) advance to regional championship sites (“regionals”).
- Engineers and other technical professionals from local industries serve as team mentors who advise and guide students through the design and construction of their machines.
- Local hubs rely on financial support from corporations and/or colleges/universities in order to allow schools to participate at no cost.
Attributes of Competition
- Enhances teaching/teacher effectiveness
- Reinforces classroom learning
- Creates real-world academic challenge
- Increases students’ interest in and understanding of engineering and science
- Exposes students to new career opportunities
- Provides competition/fun
- Promotes school spirit and sense of community
- Establishes collaborative partnerships with business/industry
Goals of Competition
- Increase student interest in and pursuit of engineering, science, and technology careers
- Engage students in exciting, fun science-based activity
- Enlist business/industry to become partners in education
- Win The BEST Award
Benefits to Students
- Increases understanding of technical concepts and scientific principles
- Provides real-world engineering challenge
- Encourages abstract thought, self-directed learning, and decision-making
- Provides team building experiences
- Promotes good sportsmanship and ethical conduct
- Instills pride in success
