About BEST Robotics, Inc.
(From the BEST Robotics, Inc. website) Take plywood and a box filled with items such as PVC pipe, screws and other hardware, piano wire, a bicycle inner tube, a BRAIN (BEST Robotics Advanced Instruction Node programmable platform), and something called a micro-energy chain system and try, within six weeks, to design and build a functioning machine that can perform certain, specific tasks in three minutes. What do you get?
You get BEST, a middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields.
Through participation in our project-based STEM program, students learn to analyze and solve problems utilizing the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills. It is these skills that industry seeks in its workforce.
Each fall, over 850 middle and high schools and over 18,000 students participate in the competition.
About Northeast Alabama BEST
(From the BEST Robotics, Inc. website) Take plywood and a box filled with items such as PVC pipe, screws and other hardware, piano wire, a bicycle inner tube, a BRAIN (BEST Robotics Advanced Instruction Node programmable platform), and something called a micro-energy chain system and try, within six weeks, to design and build a functioning machine that can perform certain, specific tasks in three minutes. What do you get?
You get BEST, a middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields.
Through participation in our project-based STEM program, students learn to analyze and solve problems utilizing the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills. It is these skills that industry seeks in its workforce.
Each fall, over 850 middle and high schools and over 18,000 students participate in the competition.
About Northeast Alabama BEST
Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics provides opportunities for students grades 5-12 to become competent and confident in applying math, science, technology and engineering principles to real-life challenges. This culminates in the Fall when teams are judged on oral presentation, educational display, spirit, sportsmanship, interview skills, engineering notebook, and robot performance. Teams winning at the local level are eligible to compete in the regional competition at Auburn.
All required materials and supplies are provided to participating schools by Northeast Alabama BEST, which also provides access to technical support and mentoring to BEST Teams.
Contact
Hub Director:
Dr. Mike Kennamer
Northeast Alabama Community College
256-228-6001, ext. 2291
Team Liaison
Hannah Crawford
Northeast Alabama Community College
256-228-6001, ext. 2254
Partner Agencies
Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics is a partnership of Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics Hub, operated by Northeast Alabama Community College, and Friends of Northeast Alabama BEST, operated by a consortium of economic, workforce, and community development agencies and entities. Key partners include:
- Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama, Inc.
- DeKalb County Economic Development Authority
- Impact Learning Center
- Jackson County Economic Development Authority
- Alabama Technology Network - Rainsville Center
Steering Committee
The following individuals, who form the Friends of Northeast Alabama Steering Committee, have volunteered to coordinate a specific section or portion of BEST. - Event Director - Sherry Whitten (NACC)
- Field Boss - Chris Anderson (ATN)
- Head Referee - Jeff McInnis (GH Metal Solutions)
- Compliance Manager - Dennis Lester (NACC)
- Judging Section - Sherie Grace (NACC)
- Production Coordinator - Ronny Kisor (ATN)
- Treasurer - Shelia Shepard (Jackson County EDA)
- BEST Award Scorekeeper - Jennifer Brown (NACC)
- Pit Coordinator - Debby Wooten (NACC)
- Technology Coordinator and Field Scorekeeper - Ross Boydston (NACC)
- Field Coordinator - Barry Wigley (NACC)
- Hospitality Coordinator - Jessica Blalock (NACC)
- Registration Coordinator - Bryon and Kaitlin Miller (NACC)
- BEST Award Scoring - Jennifer Brown and Keith McBride (NACC)
