The Critical Need for Future Engineers, Scientists, and Technical Professionals BEST Middle and High School Robotics Competition A Workforce Development Program

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The Problem(s) losing its leadership positionThe United States is losing its leadership position in engineering, science and math cannot find enoughEngineering-based companies cannot find enough technically trained recruits declining enrollmentColleges and Universities see declining enrollment in most engineering fields women & minorities are extremely under-represented Students transitioning from K-12 to college lack both the skills/Students transitioning from K-12 to college lack both the skills/desire to enter engineering programs

BEST Robotics – A Start to inspire middle through high school students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like, hands-on, real-world engineering-based robotics competition.BEST Robotics, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to inspire middle through high school students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like, hands-on, real-world engineering-based robotics competition. Last fall, more than 12,000 students representing over 800 schools participated at 38 competition sites (hubs) in 16 states.

BEST Basics There is no cost or fee for schools.There is no cost or fee for schools. Starts in September & concludes six weeks later. Students perform all of the work. Mentors – engineers and other technical professionals from local companies – guide the students through the design & construction phase. In addition to the robot competition, students write an engineering notebook, give an oral presentation and prepare a display area.

BEST Results As a result of participating in BEST, students… real-world science and engineering challengesExperience real-world science and engineering challenges, training that is transferable to all academic disciplines and career pursuits. engineering is “demystified.”Understand what engineers do - engineering is “demystified.” experience that is transferable to all career pursuits.Experience “design-to-market” product development - experience that is transferable to all career pursuits. It is less robotics and more problem- solving.It is less robotics and more problem- solving.

Further BEST Results technologically proficientStudents become technologically proficient - better prepared for tomorrow’s workforce. competent and confidentStudents become competent and confident in: abstract thought self-directed learning teamwork oral/written communication project management decision-making problem-solving leadership.

BEST Timeline Each year the robot competition has a different theme the theme directly relates to a real world problem In early to mid-September the high school and middle school teams are invited to Kick-Off Day there they hear about that year’s game, see the playing field and pick up their materials

BEST Timeline One or two weeks before the competition, each team brings their robot to Mall Day this is a public event that generates interest, press coverage and excitement

BEST Timeline Finally, six weeks after Kick-Off day, is Game Day robots compete, students present, communities get excited, prizes are awarded winning teams are invited to compete in a Regional Competition

So, What Can We Do Together? Grove City College is sponsoring the Wolverine Hub in fall, 2010 We are raising funds and soliciting professional mentors for teams Please consider forming a team

A Teacher Testimonial “We have around 50 students from the robotics team at Austin currently enrolled in college in the following fields of study: aerospace, chemical, electrical, biomedical, and mechanical engineering; computer science; applied math; physics; international business; and finance. but because they had spent four years as active members of our BEST team. When they entered college, they knew they had selected the correct field of study for them — not because a guidance counselor or I told them they would be a good engineer, but because they had spent four years as active members of our BEST team.” Susan Haddock, Math Teacher Austin High School Decatur, AL

A Teacher Testimonial BEST is one of the most phenomenal student competitions available. something that no textbook alone could teach. “I can only tell you from the experiences that my students and I have had that BEST is one of the most phenomenal student competitions available. To be able to take materials — literally a load of “stuff” — and watch them transform it into a workable, tasking robot is something that no textbook alone could teach.” Angel Findlater, Science Teacher South Girard Middle School Phenix City, AL

A Teacher Testimonial I think the most important lesson learned by all was not to give up. “I think the most important lesson learned by all was not to give up. Our robot never worked until the Saturday morning of the competition. No matter what we did, it always failed throughout the six weeks. It was not until that Saturday morning, with time running out, that as a team we pulled it together. It was an incredible boost to team morale to have a working ‘bot for the competition. I believe this showed them to never, ever, give up.” Jeremy Raper, Science & Robotics Teacher Bob Jones High School Madison, AL

A Teacher Testimonial what happens during six weeks of competition would take an entire year in the classroom. “In many ways, the BEST experience is like an education greenhouse; what happens during six weeks of competition would take an entire year in the classroom.” Dr. Mark Conner, Head The Engineering Academy at Hoover High School Hoover, AL

A Teacher Testimonial “Several of our students were failing school and at risk of dropping out until they joined the robotics team and found their niche. The challenges of BEST Robotics were just what they needed to inspire them to do better in their studies so they could stay on the team. They are now some of our top academic students!” John Hoffmaster, Science Teacher Billingsley High School

Do we have your support? Questions Next Steps Contacts: Dr. Mike Bright, Hub Director, Dr. Connie Nichols, School Coordinator,

BEST References BEST Robotics, Inc. Grove City College BEST Video