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Re: [Spridgets] No LBC - Peters Robotics team

To: spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] No LBC - Peters Robotics team
From: BJNoSHOV8 <bjshov8@tx.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:12:35 -0600
About 5 years ago I got drafted into working with a team for BEST 
robotics.  I didn't know about FIRST robotics at the time but it seems 
that BEST and FIRST are somewhat similar.  I've since also learned about 
competitions using VEX robotics.

I've worked with 2 different teams on BEST, this past year I volunteered 
to help as a referee, and I've also written a small PDF book about 
building robots.

Here are some photos from BEST robotics in the fall of 2010:

This is a view of the game field set up in a local mall for 
demonstration day:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4197b.jpg

Here are a couple of photos of our robot:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4200b.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4201b.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4203b.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4221b.jpg

Our robot in practice:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4271b.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4343b.jpg

Some photos from our state competition:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4627b.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4630b.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/bjd70/Robotics%202010/DSC_4650b.jpg

The basics of BEST are probably similar to the others.  The goal is to 
get middle school and high school students interested in math, science 
or engineering careers.  BEST provides a kit to each team, including a 
big selection of wood, plastic and metal raw materials and hardware, and 
a kit of parts that they have to return including 4 motors, 4 servos, a 
small computer controller and a radio control with joysticks.  The game 
field and the object of the game both change every year.  The teams 
normally will program the computer controller (C language) to drive the 
motors and servos as needed by their robot design and game strategy.  
The coaches and mentors can provide guidance to the teams but the 
students are to design and build the robot.  The games run for 3 minutes 
each, with one team member as driver and another team member as spotter.

> FLL is the leadup to FRC-FIRST Robotics Competition-
> Strated by Dean Kaman in 1991- Tam, Some of you may remember her from Elkhart
> Lake, is the president of her FIRST robotics Team. FIRST has a HUGE corporate
> support system, with over 200 college scholarships available. Its such a great
> program, costly but you get what you pay for. IT teaches the  students to work
> as a team toward a single goal. It involves gear heads, programmers, artists,
> financial kids, all working for the same goal. It teaches them how real
> engineering takes a group, not a single person.
> The FIRST competitions are in Early April, if there is one in your area, I
> strongly encourage you to go, the atmosphere is intense and the sharing
> between teams is incredible. Better yet- volunteer as a mentor if you have
> time, its a great way to bring the next generation along, I do!
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