Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

1
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• River Valley BEST
• Middle, Junior and High School Robotics
  Competition
• 2005 Teacher-Mentor Workshop
• UA Fort Smith
• July 20, 2005

2
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• I. Introductions
• River Valley BEST Staff
• 2005 Schools and Teachers
• 2005 Mentors

3
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• I. River Valley BEST Staff
• John Martini Director
• Financial
• People Relations
• Kit
• Game
• Publicity
• Events

4
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• I. 2005 Schools and Teachers
• Lets Get Acquainted!

5
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• I. 2005 Mentors
• Lets Get Acquainted!

6
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• II. River Valley BEST 2003 Video

7
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• III. BEST Robotics
• BEST Robotics Inc. (BRI)
• BEST History
• BEST Game History
• Attributes of Competition
• Goals of Competition
• Benefits for Students

8
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• III. BEST Robotics Inc.
• Non-profit, all-volunteer organization
• 26 hubs in 11 states (in 2004)and growing!
• 3 Regional Competitions (Texas, South Frontier
  Trails BEST)
• Frontier Trails BEST is hosted by the University
  of Arkansas Fort Smith and the City of Fort
  Smith
• Volunteers from the various hubs operate Frontier
  Trails BEST

9
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
10
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
III. BEST History

• MIT freshman robotics video viewed during
  Engineering Day at Texas Instruments (TI) in
  Sherman, Texas
• BEST concept conceived by TI engineers Ted Mahler
  and Steve Marum

• TI funded initial program for local Sherman
  schools
• San Antonio group challenged Sherman group in
  first contest in fall 1993

11
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
III. BEST Game History

• Year Contest Hubs Teams Students
• PVC Insanity 1 14 221
• Bumble Rumble 3 23 495
• TOTALly AweSUM 5 81 1005
• Block n Load 6 123 2000
• Dynamite Duel 7 150 2400
• Toxic Troubles 11 191 3128
• Rocket Race 14 252 4130
• Pandemonium in the Smithsonian 16 292 4672
• RAD to the Core 19 320 5000
• Warp X Blast From the Past! 20 475 5500
• Transfusion Confusion 23 575 6000
• BEST Fever 26 571 8792
• Mission to the Hubble 28 600 9000

12
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• III. Attributes of Competition
• Enhances teaching/teacher effectiveness
• Reinforces classroom learning
• Creates real-world academic challenge
• Increases students interest in science
• Exposes students to new career opportunities
• Provides competition/fun
• Bolsters school spirit and sense of community

13
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• III. Goals of Competition
• Inspire student interest in engineering, science,
  and technology
• Motivate students to pursue careers in these
  fields
• Engage students in exciting, fun science-based
  activity
• Enlist business/industry to become collaborative
  educational partners

14
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• III. Benefits to Students
• Increases understanding of technical concepts and
  scientific principles
• Provides real-world engineering challenge
• Encourages abstract thought, self-directed
  learning, and decision-making
• Promotes team building, good sportsmanship, and
  ethical conduct
• Produces pride in success

15
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
IV. Sponsorship Levels

• Level
• Corporate
• Platinum
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
• BEST Friends

• Donation
• gt 15,000
• 5,000 - 14,999
• 2,500 - 4,999
• 1,250 - 2,499
• 500 - 1,249
• lt 500

16
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• V. A BEST Team Defined

17
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• President
• Team Leaders
• Webmaster
• Team Administrator
• Robotics
• BEST Award
• Fundraising
• Team Members
• BEST Award
• Robotics

• Team Administration
• Team Support
• Recruitment
• Student Recruitment
• Purchasing/Financial
• Fundraising
• Travel
• Safety
• Robotics Construction
• BEST Award

Teacher
Students
Mentors

• Game Rules
• Construction Job Foreman
• Testing
• Mock Playing Field
• Shop Safety
• Time Management

18
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• President
• Team Leaders
• Webmaster
• Team Administrator
• Robotics
• BEST Award
• Fundraising
• Team Members
• BEST Award
• Robotics

• Team Administration
• Team Support
• Recruitment
• Student Recruitment
• Purchasing/Financial
• Fundraising
• Travel
• Safety
• Robotics Construction
• BEST Award

Teacher
Students
Mentors

• Game Rules
• Construction Job Foreman
• Testing
• Mock Playing Field
• Shop Safety
• Time Management

19
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• President
• Team Leaders
• Webmaster
• Team Administrator
• Robotics
• BEST Award
• Fundraising
• Team Members
• BEST Award
• Robotics

• Team Administration
• Team Support
• Recruitment
• Student Recruitment
• Purchasing/Financial
• Fundraising
• Travel
• Safety
• Robotics Construction
• BEST Award

Teacher
Students
Mentors

• Game Rules
• Construction Job Foreman
• Testing
• Mock Playing Field
• Shop Safety
• Time Management

20
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VI. Awards
• Competition Awards
• The BEST Award
• Judging Criteria
• Creative Gimmicks
• Advancing to Regional Competition

21
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VI. Competition Awards
• In the robotics competition, the following will
  be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd places
• Game Specific Award (Robotics scores)
• Founders Award for Creative Design
• Most Robust
• Most Elegant
• Most Photogenic
• T-Shirt Award
• Web Page Award

22
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VI. The BEST Award
• The BEST Award is presented to the team that best
  embodies the attributes associated with Boosting
  Engineering, Science and Technology
• Inclusiveness
• Exposure to and use of the engineering process
• Sportsmanship
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Positive attitude/enthusiasm
• School/community involvement

23
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VI. BEST Award Judging Criteria
• All teams are eligible for the BEST Award
• Judging based on four criteria (75 points
  possible)
• Project Summary Notebook (30 points)
• Table Display and Interviews (25 points)
• Spirit and Sportsmanship (15 points)
• Robot Performance (5 points)

24
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
VI. Creative Gimmicks

• Team hats
• Team t-shirts with game theme design
• Costumes
• Buttons
• Theme music
• Banners
• Posters
• School Band
• Cheerleaders

• Aesthetic robot designs
• Accessorized robot
• Team cheers
• Spirit songs
• Attendance by student body, staff, parents
• Computer slide show
• Freebies (with logo)
• Picture give-aways
• Team/robot fact sheets

25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VI. Advancing to Frontier Trails BEST
• BEST Award winner
• 1st place game winner
• BEST Award 1st runner up
• 2nd place game winner
• BEST Award 2nd runner up
• 3rd place game winner

31
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. 2005 Events
• Kick Off Day
• Mall Day
• Game Day
• Frontier Trails BEST

32
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Kick Off Day
• Unveiling of game theme, game rules and playing
  field
• Returnables Consumables kits distributed
• Sign up session for BEST Award
• Q A
• Team-building opportunity

33
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Kick Off Day (Kit)
• Every team receives identical box of parts
  (called Consumables)
• Every team receives functional r/c units,
  large/small motors, batteries, battery charger,
  tether devices (called Returnables)
• Teacher must sign for Return kit

34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)
36
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Kick Off Day (Prototype)
• Prototype sub-components built by River Valley
  BEST staff members
• Prototypes are examples of how sub-units of a
  robot COULD be built
• Prototypes should be studied by teams
• Photos and videotaping encouraged!
• QA

37
(No Transcript)
38
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Kick Off Day (Game Field)
• Teams are encouraged to build a game field
  simulation at school for practice
• Diagrams are included with game rules
• Teams should study complexities of game field
• Teams should identify and discuss
  offensive/defensive strategies
• Teams should photo/video game field

39
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
40
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Mall Day
• Practice competitive driving
• Define/refine offensive/defensive strategy
• Test/troubleshoot robot
• Practice industrial espionage
• Boost school spirit
• Promote BEST to the community

41
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Game Day
• High Schools and Junior High/Middle Schools
• October 22nd
• UA Fort Smith
• Details covered later in presentation!

42
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VII. Frontier Trails BEST
• November 18-19
• Advancing teams (tentative)
• 1st place BEST Award winner
• 1st place Robotics winner
• 2nd place BEST Award winner
• 2nd place Robotics winner

43
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VIII. How To Succeed at BEST
• Pre-Kick Off
• 42 Days of BEST

44
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VIII. Pre-Kick Off
• Mandy Keyes Ashley Ellis
• Teachers
• UA Fort Smith
• Jon Lonberger
• Engineers/Mentors
• Hiram Walker, Fort Smith, AR

45
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VIII. 42 Days of BEST

46
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
27
4 ? DEADLINE
? DEADLINE  Mall Day
47
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Kick Off Day
Robot pre-competition team organization/developme
nt
BEST establish team/support teacher(s) study
award guidelines
48
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Robot study game rules/materials develop
strategy
BEST Develop committees, establish theme begin
fundraising
49
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Robot build running platform perform
preliminary design
BEST design team giveaways/notebook track
robotics progress
50
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Robot finalize design and build!!!
BEST design t-shirt, buy display materials
solicit school support
51
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Robot continue building!!!
BEST contact local paper order t-shirts
52
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Mall Day
Robot complete construction, test, train adjust
BEST assemble display organize giveaways
53
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology
42 Days of BEST Calendar
Robot finalize, paint decorate
Game Day
BEST add finishing touches
54
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VIII. Game Day
• Team registration
• BEST Award Table Display Set-up (Friday Night)
• Compliance Check-in (Friday Night)
• Opening Ceremony

55
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• VIII. Game Day (cont.)
• BEST Award judging (all day)
• Preliminary and elimination rounds
• Points amassed by teams
• Awards ceremony
• Return kit check-in
• Frontier Trails BEST meeting (advancing teams)

56
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• IX. Web Site Tour
• www.uafortsmith.edu/BEST
• Used to update team information

57
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• X. Game Day Venue
• Pit process, floor plan, how the game works

58
Staging
Scoring
Bleachers
Work Station
Judges
Game Field
Curtain
Battery Station
59
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• XI. Hands-on Session
• Returnable kits
• Set-up a working robot circuit
• Test your work
• Re-inventory your kit

60
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• XII. Support Materials
• Appendices in workshop manual

61
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• XIII. Q A

62
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• XIV. Stubblefield Center Tour

63
Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology

• River Valley BEST
• 2005 Teacher-Mentor Workshop
• Thanks for coming! See you September 11th!