[Jaine Perotti]

While BEST might be cheap, can they say they have had national press attention along the lines of FIRST, or have they had their nationals at Epcot? I dont' think so.

I find it suprising that members of the FIRST community would criticize a similar organization for not getting as much "glamour" as FIRST does. Does this really matter in terms of what the students who participate in this program get out of it? While travel adds to the experience, I don't think that this is a good reason to say one competition is better than another.

I won't go into all the differences, but I think BEST requires more creativity than FIRST does now. In BEST, you're given a kit of parts and that is the only thing you can use. You have very limited motors, parts, and controls and you have to make it work.

I don't think that either organization "requires more creativity" than the other. In both competitions, teams are given a design challenge, have a deadline to complete it, and must solve the problem using the most creative means possible. both FIRST and BEST are about creativity and learning, so I don't think you can say that either does this better than another.

Unlike FIRST, BEST is a total volunteer organization made up of dedicated engineers, professionals, and just regular moms and dads that want to make a difference in young people's lives....The BEST volunteers that design the game, do accounting, fundraising, purchase kit of parts, assemble kits, run the competitions, do the media, web page etc do it all as volunteers. Hundreds and hundreds of hours with no pay. Why do they do this? Because they want all students to have access to a robotics competition and not have to fundraise to participate.

Does the fact that FIRST isn't entirely made up of volunteers undermine the fact that they are dedicated individuals who want to promote robotics education? I personally don't think so. Also, FIRST has many volunteers that work hard for the same reasons.

Kudos to BEST for promoting robotics education.
One would think that FIRST could learn something from BEST's example.

And FIRST doesn't? Maybe I'm misunderstanding what is being said here.

I just have one other thought. There are BEST teams that don't like FIRST for some reason, and apparently there are FIRST teams that look down on BEST as FIRST junior. Or atleast that's what this sounds like. I can't understand this mindset. These are both wonderful robotics competitions with the aim of inspiring students. I would think that teams would want to praise other robotics competitions that inspire students. FLL isn't at all like FIRST, but teams support it whole-heartedly. So I'm just confused why someone would want to cut down another program with the same goal as FIRST.

I completely agree with the above statement. There is absolutely no good reason for FIRSTers to criticize BEST for doing the same thing that FIRST does, which is to inspire people to become more interested in science and technoogy. Conversely, it is not right for those who are involved in BEST to be critical of FIRST. "Gracious professionalism" should not be a phrase used by FIRSTers solely within their own organization; they should demonstrate it towards outside organizations that promote science and technology as well.

Overall, I think that BEST sounds like a great program that encourages students to get involved in the fields of science and technology. It sounds like a great competition for FIRST teams to get involved in during the offseason; the timing of the game release, build period, and competitions are convienient for participation by FIRST teams. I would like to encourage other FIRST teams to get involved, although I am not sure if our team can join...I will inquire. The fact that it is a very low cost program would be an added benefit for FIRST teams, as many of us have tight enough budgets to begin with, let alone spending money to enter in another expensive robotics competition. Sounds like a great program!!!