In the real world, a new product must meet customer requirements and specifications. In the game world, the machine must meet size and weight also complete the same game task. Industry and academic coaches act as mentors for the students, encouraging and guiding them as they design and build their robots. In the BEST process, students remain the primary decision-makers and builders. Schools provide at least one teacher-coach, administration support, classroom and shop access after school hours, and transportation to the competition sites.
Schools select their own teams.
Six weeks after kickoff, teams compete in local hub contests. The top finishers advance to the Texas BEST Championship a few weeks later in College Station. In 1993, BEST began with one site, North Texas, and its 14 schools and 221 students. For more information about this year's event, go to Texas BEST 2001 . Tell us your story.