San Antonio BEST 2014 Kick-off Blade Runner September 13, 2014 St Mary’s University Center

2 Agenda Welcome and Introductions Scholarships & Sponsors Teacher Service Awards Awards Schedule & Contact Information Kit Reminders Game Overview Q & A Game Demo & Kit Pick-up

3 Teams –1/3 Alamo Home School Antonian College Prep HS Brennan HS Burbank HS Canyon Lake HS East Central HS Thomas A. Edison HS Holy Cross of San Antonio John Jay Science and Engineering Academy Johnson HS (Laredo) Jourdanton HS Krueger School of Applied Technologies (KSAT) Lanier HS Robert E. Lee HS

4 Teams – 2/3 Lutheran HS of San Antonio Madison HS John Marshall HS McCollum HS Navarro HS STEM Academy at Nimitz MS Pleasanton HS Poteet HS St. Anthony Catholic HS St. Gregory the Great School Saint Mary's Hall School San Antonio School For Inquiry and Creativity Smithson Valley MS

5 Teams – 3/3 Spring Branch MS Stacey HS STEM Early College HS Stevens HS William Howard Taft HS United Engineering and Technology Magnet Earl Warren HS

Results BEST Award 1.Saint Mary’s Hall School 2.UET Magnet 3.Robert E Lee HS 4.Lutheran HS Contest 1.Robert E Lee HS 2.UET Magnet 3.Stacey HS 4.Saint Mary’s Hall School

7 Scholarships St. Mary’s University –$50K & $40K St. Mary’s scholarship to a senior on the 1 st and 2 nd place competition teams, respectively. Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) –A total of up to $6000 cash scholarships to seniors on the BEST Award and Competition teams

8 Other 2013 Award Results Founders Award – 1. St Anthony, 2. Holy Cross Most Robust – Stacey HS Good Lookin’ John Wigand Most Photogenic – Stacey HS Best Table Display and Interview – Lutheran HS Most Spirit and Sportsmanship – Navarro HS BEST T-shirt – STEM Academy at Nimitz MS BEST Use of Game Theme – JECA Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape – KSAT SAME Award – Spring Branch MS

9 SA BEST Sponsors – 1/2 Saint Mary’s University Platinum Sponsors –Tesoro Corporation Gold –Southwest Research Institute –Cutshall Consulting Silver –Frost Bank –Security Services FCU –Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

10 SA BEST Sponsors- 2/2 Bronze –Randolph Brooks FCU –Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Central Texas Section –Rod & Susie Weber Friends –All American Trophies –CH Guenther & Son –Tom & Susanne O’Brien

11 BEST-wide Sponsorship National Partner –MathWorks – MATLAB and SIMULINK software Equipment Provider –igus – precision plastic and aluminum components Software Provider –HSMWorks – CAM software for SolidWorks –Intellitek – EasyC software –Robomatter – RobotC Software –SolidWorks – solid modeling software –Wolfram – Mathematica software Resource Provider –Solidwize – Training for SolidWorks

12 Teacher Service Awards 5 Years Donald Ellis – Taft HS Michelle Estrada – Navarro HS Rick Stover – Taft HS 10 Years Jorge Martinez – UET Magnet Louann Pundt - Robert E Lee HS Ronnie Pundt – Robert E Lee HS 15 Years Jeff Szabo – Marshall HS These awards are for teachers reaching the listed milestone this year.

Awards List BEST Award – First through Fourth Founders Award – First and Second Most Robust Most Photogenic BEST T-shirt BEST Table Display/Interview Most Spirit/Sportsmanship Best Use of Game Theme Blood Sweat & Duct Tape SAME Award Details can be found in the provided documents and on the USB

14 BEST Award Components Project Engineering Notebook (30 pts) Marketing Presentation (25 pts) Team Exhibit & Interview (20 pts) Spirit & Sportsmanship (10 pts) Robot Performance (15 pts) All teams must submit a notebook. Notebooks must be submitted online at the SA BEST web site.

15 Engineering Notebook The notebook should document your design and include: –Brainstorming –Evaluating alternatives –Design creativity –Support documentation Format your notebook by judging criteria: make it easy for the judges, i.e., section headings consistent with, and in the order of, the judging criteria. Please review the award policies and score sheets.

16 Marketing Presentation Presentation geared as a company (the team) marketing their product (the robot) to prospective buyers/investors (the judges). Teams should provide information on: –Company Information including Demographics & Operations –Engineering design process –Marketing Strategies –Use of technology The quality and creativity of the presentation will be assessed. Please review the award policies and score sheets.

17 Team Exhibit & Interview Exhibit –Show community promotion of BEST concept –Show use of technology –Show creativity in incorporating game theme. Interview –Understanding of the game theme –Enthusiasm & learning experience from BEST –Recruitment efforts –Evidence that students were the primary designers & builders of the robot as well as the exhibit. Please review the award policies and score sheets.

18 Spirit & Sportsmanship Spirit –Enthusiasm –Posters, signs, props, costumes, etc. –Community support during competition –Cheerleaders, mascots, bands Sportsmanship –Supportive of other teams – helping teams in need. –Proper attitude when winning/losing –Evidence that students are making robot adjustments & determining strategy. Please review the award policies and score sheets.

19 Awards Wrap-up Project Engineering Notebook is mandatory for ALL teams. It’s important for the BEST Award: 30 Points, and it may earn you a spot in the semi-finals via the wildcard game. Demographics form must be turned in. Document, Document, Document Organize your team, your book, your competition. Most Important - Have Fun!

20 Summary of Important Dates 10/15 (Wed.) – Online program-information deadline 10/19 (Sun.) – Demo Day (test your robot here!) 10/19 (Sun.) – BEST notebooks due by 3:00 PM 10/20 – 10/23 (Mon-Thu) – Open practice 10/23 – 10/24 (Thu-Fri) – BEST Presentations 10/24 (Fri) – Machine compliance check 10/25 (Sat) – SA BEST competition 11/14 – 11/15 (Fri-Sat) – Texas BEST competition (UTD)

21 Information Needed for the Game Day Program By October 15 th, teachers need to provide the team information (student/volunteer/teacher names, team name, etc…) for the printed program that we hand out on game day. The Team Information form is to be filled out online at the SA BEST web site (you must be logged in to have access to the form for your team). Please contact if you need help with this.

22 Notebook Submission Each team must submit a notebook online at the SA BEST website (in pdf format) by Demo Day (Sunday, 10/19) at 3:00 pm. Demographics information must be submitted as part of the notebook submission and a copy of the demographics sheet should be turned in at Demo Day (by 3:00 pm). Even if not participating in other aspects of the BEST Award, the notebook including the demographics form must be submitted.

23 Important Information Booklet The information booklet included in your returnable kit provides additional information on: –Demo Day –Open Practice –Presentations –Machine Check-in –Drivers List –Displays –Game Day –Kit Info!

24 Contact Information addresses and phone numbers for the volunteers can be found on the web site: Messages to must have “sabest” in the subject or they will not be delivered. Leave a message at Teachers & Mentors: Make sure that we have your correct address - update your sabest account when it changes. Check your at least once a week and check our web site for the latest information. Make sure that your box is not full.

25 USB Drive with all documents –Part of SA BEST Return Kit Return Kit (RK) –Electronics, motors, servos … –Power, cabling, reusable parts –non-robot/support components Consumable Kit (CK) –raw stock –some items are team-acquired Don’t use any “old” material – it’s not legal. Kit Composition You are only allowed to use what is listed on your Kit Lists. Check the RULES, because we will!

26 Return Kit Changes Items Removed –8-inch servo extension removed Items Changed –Small motor gearbox replaced – stronger gears with ¼” shaft –Small drive pulley changed to ¼” bore pulley –VEXNET keys changed to more reliable model –SIMULINK: no longer requires external compiler and can be used with a MAC as well as a PC.

27 SA BEST Requirements: If you’re going to face-mount the motor, you must use the short screws provided with the motor mounts. Teams must use crimp connectors for powering the motors. Please do not solder to the motor leads. Please review the “important information” booklet included with your return kit materials.

28 Consumable Kit Changes Items Removed: –None! Items Replaced: –None! Items Added: –Craft “popsicle” sticks (36 team supplied)

29 Training and Documentation Check the “Team Resources” link at the BRI ( site for links to materials and additional online training. –Includes Mathworks SIMULINK recorded webinars Tutorials, online presentations, forums, etc are available to help with programming information, and other kit details. Q&A is the source for interpretation of kit use issues.

30 Machine Check-in At Machine Check-in (the evening before game day): –Your team will turn in its official and final drivers' roster. –Your machine will be weighed & measured. –All return-kit parts will be checked; you must bring the entire kit including parts not mounted to your machine. –Your machine will be checked to make sure it contains no parts not on the parts lists. Remember: if it's not on the list, it's not legal for use on your machine. If your machine is out-of-compliance, you will not be allowed to compete until you correct the non- compliance issues.

31 Basic Kit Info Check the web page and your Parts are limited - there may not be replacements… Leave ALL stickers on parts. If you are using a part on contest day that should have a “Property of SABEST” sticker on it, but doesn’t, you may be disqualified. No Velcro, epoxy, duct tape on any RK parts. You may be disqualified if these are found after a match. Refer to diagrams/files online at Kits must be turned in at the end of the SA BEST competition for those not advancing to Texas BEST. (Advancing teams must turn in RK at TX BEST) Bring ALL Return Kit parts to Machine Check-in !

32 Kit Pick Up Pick up your Consumable Kit from the big truck in the parking lot –cardboard box of materials –sheet stock bundle –round stock bundle –PVC pipe bundle –plywood Pick up your Return Kit in the practice gym. Make sure you get both kits: Return & Consumable. Fill out your Return Kit check-out sheet prior to getting in line. Buttons, pens, packaging, etc, are NOT part of the kit.

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34 Overview Blade Runner is based on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the transportation of wind turbine components and the on-site assembly of the complex structures.

35 Game Premise - 1/ Transport turbine components from your stockpile area to the assembly area: –Turbine components are large and heavy and may damage roads; therefore, your team must receive approval to transport across roads and bridges through an oversize/overweight (OSOW) permit. –Two transportation paths exist and have varying levels of difficulty (bridge, damaged road).

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37 Game Premise - 2/3 At the construction site, the wind turbine components must be installed into the existing turbine bases. The turbines are erected into final position with the help of onsite cranes.

38 Game Premise - 3/3 Transport and construction coincides with environmentally sensitive areas. Native prairie chickens (they’re a real thing!) must not be harmed.

39 Tasks/Objectives 1.Acquire an OSOW permit and relocate Prairie Chicken Environments. 2.Transport turbine blades and assemblies to the construction location. 3.Install transported components on turbine towers. 4.Set assembled turbines upright. 5.Expand blades to final position.

40 Field Overview Saguaro Cactus Removable Barrier Damaged Road Bridge Oversize Overweight Permit Station Prairie Chicken Environments

41 Quadrant Close-up Stockpile Area Assembly Area Small Turbine Tower Large Turbine Tower Large Blades Small Hub/Blade Assembly Starting Area Small Nacelle

42 Game Pieces -1/2 Small NacelleSmall Hub/Blade Assembly Axle for Hub Tower Interface 18-inch long blades expand when shipping band removed

43 Game Pieces – 2/2 Large Blades 6 per team Prairie Chicken Environment 3 per team 3-inch PVC Pipe 30-inch long Foam Pipe Insulation 1-inch PVC Pipe at Ends

44 Oversize/Overweight (OSOW) Permit Station Activation lever LED indicator Functions as tiebreaker and is required for certain scoring elements.

45 Field Elements: Bridge Activation levers to raise gates Gates

46 Field Elements: Bad Road

47 Field Elements: Turbine Towers Small Tower Large Tower Nacelle and hub are pre-mounted Both are shown in raised position. Spotter raises tower!

48 Completed & Upright Towers Small Tower with nacelle and hub attached Large Tower with blades attached in final position These are shown at different scales

49 Game Play Options Teams can play on their quadrant of the field without interacting with other teams. Teams can agree to cooperate with the team to their immediate left or right (or both). –Both teams have to agree to cooperate –Referee is informed of cooperation –Barrier between cooperating teams is removed –Points are “shared” by cooperating teams –A team can never cross another team’s bridge or bad road section. Game play options are on a match-by-match basis.

50 Single Play Point Values – Logistics Item/ActionPoints each OSOW Permit Triggered5 Prairie Chicken Environments: Upright in safe zone10 Upright, not in safe zone4 Not upright-10 Bridge Gate Opened5 All points are based on the state at the end of the match.

51 Single Play Point Values – Transport to Assembly Area ItemPoints each Small nacelle30 Small hub/blade assembly30 Large turbine blade10 All points are based on the state at the end of the match. OSOW permit is required for any transport scoring.

52 Single Play Point Values – Small Tower Assembly Item/ActionPoints 1. Small nacelle installed on tower30 2. Small hub/blade assembly installed on small nacelle Bonus for both items 1 & Fully constructed turbine upright20 5. Blades expanded on upright tower20 All points are based on the state at the end of the match. OSOW permit is required for assembly scoring.

53 Single Play Point Values – Large Tower Assembly Item/ActionPoints Per blade installed in Position 120 Per blade installed in Position 240 Upright tower bonus per installed blade in excess of one (zero bonus points for one blade) 20 All points are based on the state at the end of the match. OSOW permit is required for assembly scoring.

54 Scoring Positions for Large Turbine Blades Position 1Position 2

55 Cooperative Scoring When cooperating with the team to your: –LEFT: You are able to use their towers. –RIGHT: You are allowing that team to use your towers. A team keeps 100% of points scored for turbine components installed on their own towers. Both teams share points for component installations with “mixed ownership.” Bonus point values increase for upright towers with mixed ownership (50 or 100 points per team!) Prairie Chicken Environment points (and penalties) are also affected by the decision to cooperate.

56 Spotter Actions The spotter may raise the tower(s) only by pulling the rope. Once the tower is latched upright, it may not be lowered again during the match. The spotter may position the large blades in scoring position #2 after the tower is raised and latched in the upright position. The blades must have been installed by the robot into position #1 for the spotter to take this action. The spotter cannot otherwise manipulate the game pieces and must cease contact with game pieces at the end of the match.

57 Tournament Details of the tournament procedures are now part of the generic rules. Each team will play up to six times in the seeding competition (the number will be the same for all teams). Teams will be ranked by the average points scored during the seeding matches. The top seven teams from the seeding competition will advance to the eight-team semi- final competition. The average tiebreaker order from the seeding rounds will be used in the event of a tie.

58 Tournament - Wildcard To determine the eighth team advancing to the semi-finals, the four teams with the highest notebook scores (not already one of the seven teams advancing to the semi-finals based on seeding position) will play a “Wildcard” game. The winner of the wild card game will advance to the semi-finals as the eighth participant.

59 Tournament – Semi-finals During the semi-final competition, each team will play a total of three matches. The team ranking for the semi-finals will be based on the accumulated points for the three semi-final matches. The average tiebreaker position from the semi- final rounds will be used in the event of a tie.

60 Tournament – Finals The four top ranked teams from the semi-final will advance to the final competition where they will play three additional matches. Points from the semi-finals will not carry forward into the Finals; all scores will be reset to zero. The final team ranking will be based on the total points accumulation during the final three matches.

61 Additional Items Drivers must rotate, but rotation of the spotter is left to the team to decide. There are additional restrictions and details contained in the rules – please read them carefully. If something isn’t clear or doesn’t make sense, check the Q&A first for already posted answers. Please ask a question only after checking the existing answers!

62 Remember … Referee decisions are final. Read all rules and the Q&A before submitting Q&A questions. The password for the Q&A page and protected files on the bestinc.org site is in the team packet, and will not be needed after about a week. All rule changes in the Q&A page become part of the final game rules. Remember to read the generic rules (e.g., size, weight, components, drivers, etc…) This presentation is only a summary and is not official.

63 Questions? What’s Next? –Game demonstration: in the practice gym. –Returnable kit pickup: in the practice gym (please bring your filled out check-out sheet). –Consumable kit pickup: in the parking lot There are multiple parts to the consumable kit, make sure you have them all!