BEST Robotics
Why it Matters

A Societal Problem“Although the United States is increasingly defined by anddependent on technology…its
technology…its citizens are not equipped
to make well‐
well‐considered decisions or think critically
about technology.”
technology
technology...”~ Technically Speaking: Why All Americans
Need to Know More About Technology(National Academy Press, 2002)

An Education Problem“Nationwide, most students are graduating with only aminimal understanding of one of the most powerfulforces shaping society today.”~ International Technology andEngineering Education Association(ITEEA)We Must Build Capacity
If our organizations, companies, and communities aregoing to survive, adapt, and thrive in this fast‐
fast‐changing
world, they have to build capacity—
capacity—develop andstrengthen their skills, instincts, abilities, processes, andresources.

Developing Self Efficacy•One way we build capacity is by helping our citizens
d l self‐developself
lf‐efficacy—
efficacy
ffi—beliefb li f in
i theirh i capabilities.
capabilities
bili i .

•The future welfare (economic and social) of ourcomm nities depends upon a citizenry that possesses
communities
these capabilities and competencies:
••
•
••
•

Leadership skills
Communication skills
Technical skills
Organizational skills
Problem solving abilities
Career awareness and attainment

Where BEST Comes In•

BEST is a non‐non‐profit, volunteer
volunteer‐‐based organization.

•

Our mission: engage, excite, and inspire middle and highschool students to pursue careers in Science,
Technolog Engineering
Technology,Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)(STEM)‐‐
related careers.

•We accomplish this by providing students with a sixsix‐‐
week long
long,, fall robotics competition experience.

•We enlist local industries and organizations to provide
mentors—
mentors—technical professionals and engineers—
engineers—tohelp guide the students.

Our Core Objectives•

Provide students with a real‐
real‐world engineering experiencethath incorporatesitheh practicali l applicationli i off mathh anddscience•

Prepare students to be technologicallytechnologicall literate and thus
th sbetter prepared to enter the workforce•

Help students develop leadership,leadership project management,
management
teamwork, and organizational skills•Develop students
students’ confidence and competence throughself‐‐directed learning, decision‐
selfdecision‐making, abstract thinking,and problem‐
problem‐solving

Our Core Values•

Students are the sole participants and primary decision‐decision‐makers,kd idesigners,andd builders.
b ild

•

Any student may participate.

•There is no fee for students or schools to participate.

•

Any school (including homeschools) can participate
participate.

•Equipment and materials for the robotics division of thepare pprovided at no cost to the school.
competition

What BEST Accomplishesp•BEST establishes an engineering culture in schools.

•

BEST students become competent and confident in:
••••
•
••

•

abstract thought
self‐‐directed learning
self
teamwork
project management
decision‐‐making
decision
problem‐‐solving
problemleadershipBEST students becomet h l i ll
technologicallyproficient and better
prepared for the workforce.

As a Result of BEST…
BEST students…
•

Better understand mathematical concepts and applied
physics.

•Experience real
real‐‐world science and engineering
challenges.

•U dUnderstandd whath engineers
id – engineering
doi
i isi
“demystified.”•Experience “design‐“designdesign‐toto‐‐marketmarket” product development ‐experience that is transferable to all career pursuits.