Re: Best Is Good
 

Best robotics is a very good program. Team 647 is a central Texas team, we participate in both BEST and FIRST, and they both definitely have different challenges to overcome and require loads of creativity. I am a programmer on my team so best is not as fun for me because it is very limited in the control system side of the robot but it is nice because it gives me some time to get my hands a little dirty in the mechanical side of things. Our robot for best this year in some respects is more complicated than anything we have built for First because it has a double articulated arm, which is something we have never tried with first (it is amazing what you can do with plywood, springs, and nylon string).
We also use best as an introduction to robotics for our rookie members, our upperclassmen and I try to act as mentors for the new people on the team, so they are ready for first and understand the six week time period and also the design process.
Another thing is that compared to other FIRST teams we have a small machine shop with just a couple drill presses, band saws, and a sheet metal break, but at BEST, we have one of the better machine shops of the teams.

Re: Best Is Good
 

There are 15 other high schools in broward county (florida) who are involved in this BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) competition... us being one of them. this is our second year doing this. when i first saw the kit of parts it reminded me of the kit of parts of FIRST from back in 1992. This competition is really hand on since you are not allowed to have your teacher or any mentors help you. great experience for rookies on the team also. we are in our 4th week building period... 2 more to go. here comes the NanoC@ts... yes we had to change our team name since the team name has to relate to the game... :)

Re: Best Is Good
 

Sorry to get off subject at hand, but figured someone here would know.
What is the name of the robotics competition that the IEEE runs?
Thanks.

Re: Best Is Good
 

Interesting theme; blood vessels, hidden genes and DNA sorting areas (I can go for that). :D

Maybe BEST is GOOD for the Fall/Winter semester and FIRST is GOOD for the Winter/Spring semester. (That'll keep FIRST'er out of trouble when they are bored with fundraising). ;)

Re: Best Is Good
 

Best sounds like something you would have kids in 7th, 8th and 9th grade do til they reach the 10th grade to be on the FIRST team. You would have the same kids do Lego Leauge from 4th til 6th grade. You would definately have a future innovator after years of participating in those programs.

Re: Best Is Good
 

Ed, you are right on track. That's what most of the schools in Houston do. We have several middle schools entered in the Space City BEST competition in Houston. Once these students have been through BEST in middle school and in 9th grade they are real pros when it comes to FIRST.

With students doing FLL in 4th thru 6th, then BEST and FIRST it makes a nice continual experience in robotics.