WHAT IS BEST OF TEXAS ROBOTICS?
Take plywood and a box filled with items such as PVC pipe, screws and other hardware, an irrigation valve cover, piano wire, expanded aluminum sheet , a bicycle inner tube, a BRAIN (BEST Robotics Advanced Instruction Node programmable platform), and something called a micro-energy chain system and try, within eight weeks, to design and build a functioning machine that can perform certain, specific tasks in three minutes. What do you get?
You get BEST of Texas Robotics, a middle and high school robotics program whose mission is prepare students to be STEM minded and workforce ready through innovative robotics programs and competitions. BEST of Texas Robotics, (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) is celebrating its 30th year with a focus of Reskilling our Youth towards the future. This innovative robotics program provide hands-on application of technical, collaborative, and interpersonal skills that address some of the most important abilities needed in today’s workforce. And it is done at no cost to schools, whether private, public, charter or homeschool. Students who participate in BEST robotics programs experience and learn communication, attention to detail, ability to follow directions, and critical thinking through a project-based STEM approach .
BEST of Texas Robotics is excited to include Unified UIL Robotics teams to our program. Unified UIL Robotics exposes engineering, programming, and robotics to students with and without Intellectual Disabilities. Special Olympics Texas Unified Champion Schools (UCS) Unified teams compete alongside each other while continually emphasizing inclusion and awareness in STEM. While our goal is to teach STEM and workforce readiness skills, we strive to provide unique opportunities to gain experience, create meaningful relationships and help all students communicate effectively with all their peers. By including Unified UIL Robotics in the BEST of Texas Robotics program, we believe that it will help to break down barriers and further bolster inclusivity.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
By providing all the supplies needed to compete, at no cost to schools, we ensure that lack of finances, resources, and mentors are not barriers for any school to participate regardless of type, size, location, or socioeconomic status. This competition addresses innovative thinking, time management, and skills development. Through participation, students learn to analyze and solve problems utilizing the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills that will prove to be essential in todays ever advancing technological society.
Serving over 350 schools and over 3000 students in the North Texas area, BEST of TEXAS believes that "innovators are cultivated not created". Please join in the cultivation of future innovators by donating to, and becoming involved with BEST of Texas Robotics.
