Best Practices BEST Prototype Game Weekend Wichita State University May 2-3, 2008

What are Best Practices? BenchmarksBenchmarks (excellence, effectiveness, and quality) StandardsStandards (consistent principle and practice) Models (replicable and adaptable)Models (replicable and adaptable)

Why Standards?

Two Critical Areas Hub Operations Team Success Why these two areas? standard-bearerA hub is the standard-bearer of BEST Inc. are our desired outcomesEquipping teams to be more successful and have a more fulfilling experience are our desired outcomes

Hub Operations Compliance Compliance (Kits & Check-In) Judges Orientation and Training AdvancementAssessment

Awards & Judging Policy Reference DocumentPolicy Reference Document PoliciesPolicies Judges TrainingJudges Training Team AdvancementTeam Advancement

Policy Reference Document Addresses Mandatory and Optional Awards Trophy, plaque and medal guidelines BEST Award Guidelines Engineering Notebook Guidelines

Policies Part I (not editable) Part II (editable) Score Sheets (limited editing) Team Demographic Forms Collect and post information on bestinc.org after Game Day Above documents should be released in Kick Off packet

Judges Who? Anyone who could be an advocate for the program How Many? As many as possible! Rule of thumb is 1.5 – 2 times the number of teams participating in BEST Award

Recruiting Judges Recruit all year Send “Save the Date” as soon as Game Day date is confirmed Send Judging Sign Up Form before Kick Off 2 weeks prior to Game Day, send: Thank you letter with BEST basics and judging expectations Game Rules and Awards and Judging Rules

Judges Training Why? Ensures consistency across hubs Organization with judging process is key to cultivating program advocates When? Prior to each judged event How? Go through training manual with entire group Assign experienced Team Leaders to each sub-group and let them break off for more detailed orientation session Stress importance of comments on Score Sheets – promotes student learning

Judges Training Discussion Point….. Ideas on how to make judging process more consistent?

Team Advancement BRI Board of Directors determines which hubs fall under each regional on an annual basis. Each regional determines the number of teams (T) that can advance from the region. Regionals will determine the number of teams advancing for each hub based on the following formula: N = (H  R)  T N = Number of teams that can advance for a specific hub H = Number of teams in the specific hub R = Number of teams in the region (sum of all teams in all hubs) T = Total number of teams that can advance to regional Each regional announces this figure to hubs in its region no later than the Monday following the last hub’s season kickoff. Hubs may send fewer than the total number of teams allotted for advancement. Each regional may reallocate an unused allotment to another hub.

Team Advancement A hub advances teams to the regional in the following order. 1.BEST Award winner, 1st place 2.Game winner, 1st place 3.BEST Award winner, 2nd place 4.Game winner, 2nd place 5.BEST Award winner, 3rd place 6.Game winner, 3rd place 7.Game winner, 4th place 8.Game winner, 5th place

Team Success Teacher-MentorStudent-Team Technical Aids

Your Needs or Interests? Fundraising? School Retainment? Mentor Recruitment? Other?

Your Help Needed A small # of volunteers create most documentsA small # of volunteers create most documents More help is needed to create benchmark quality processes and materials!More help is needed to create benchmark quality processes and materials! Help BRI be better prepared for new hubs as we expand across the U.S.Help BRI be better prepared for new hubs as we expand across the U.S.

Presentation Materials (ASAP) (ASAP) – Teacher/Team Resources (summer) – Teacher/Team Resources (summer)

In closing… you’ll get run over if you just sit there. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - Will Rogers Don’t be a part of the problem, but a part of the solution!