Teacher-Mentor Workshop
August 7, 2013
New London-Spicer High School
Workshop Presenters
Nancy Rossland
Bison BEST & Northern Plains BEST, Hub Director
College Relations and Outreach
College of Engineering
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
Alan Kallmeyer
Bison BEST & Northern Plains BEST, Game Coordinator
Professor and Chair
Mechanical Engineering Department
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
Minnesota BEST Team
Paul Carlson
Peg Peterson
James Kleven
Guy Chetrit
Mike O’Brien
Keith Bangasser
Elliot Eid
Jean Spaulding
Hub Director – carlsonp@nls.k12.mn.us
School Coordinator
Game Coordinator
Hub Director/Judging Coordinator
Awards Coordinator
Finance Director
Kit Coordinator
Volunteer/Marketing Coordinator
Email contacts available through Hub Director
Agenda
Introduction to BEST Robotics
The BEST Program…how it all works
Awards and Judging Policies & Procedures
Robot Kits
VEX Control System
Robot Demonstration
Warning!!
Video
A Vision of K-12 Students Today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcJizkZf1U
The Mission of BEST
“To inspire students to pursue careers in
engineering, science, technology, and
math through participation in a sports-like
science- and engineering-based robotics
competition.”
BEST Robotics
Non-profit, all-volunteer organization
46 hubs in 18 states (2012)…and growing!
Winning teams at local hubs advance to one
of four regional championships:
• Frontier Trails BEST at University of Arkansas –
Fort Smith
• South’s BEST at Auburn University
• Texas BEST at University of Texas at Dallas
• Northern Plains BEST at NDSU
BEST Locations
Regional Advancement
Minnesota BEST teams advance to the Northern
Plains BEST regional at NDSU in Fargo, ND.
Minnesota BEST will likely advance 4 teams:
•
•
•
•
BEST Award winner
1st place game winner
BEST Award runner up
2nd place game winner
BEST History
BEST concept conceived by Texas Instruments
engineers Ted Mahler and Steve Marum.
The first contest was held in 1993 with 14 schools
and 221 students participating.
This fall, over 1,000 schools and more than 18,000
students will compete!
Program Philosophy
There is no registration fee for schools
Students perform all of the work!
Mentors – engineers and other technical
professionals from local companies – guide the
students through the design & construction
phase
BEST Participation
Middle School and High School students
(6-12 grade)
One team per school…no limit to the number of
students who can be on the team
Open to Home Schools and similar associations…
but all teams must be affiliated with an
educational institution
BEST Timeline
Fall competition starts in September and
concludes six weeks later in October.
The Kick-Off is always one of the first 3 Saturdays
in September.
Teams that win at the local level advance to a
regional championship.
Our Core Objectives
• Provide students with a real‐world engineering
experience that incorporates the practical application of
math and science
• Prepare students to be technologically literate and thus
better prepared to enter the workforce
• Help students develop leadership, project management,
teamwork, and organizational skills
• Develop students’ confidence and competence through
self‐directed learning, decision‐making, abstract thinking,
and problem‐solving
What Teachers Are Saying…
“Students from art, speech, FFA, video and
computer classes all worked together for a
common goal. I had "technical" kids giving a
speech, I had "art" kids using machines and I
had students actually writing papers and
documenting without receiving a grade for it.”
Brian Stuvland, teacher
Pelican Rapids High School
What Teachers Are Saying…
“We brought the robot to the elementary school
and kids were in awe. I have students that don't
even like school spending evenings and
weekends working on the project.”
Brian Stuvland, teacher
Pelican Rapids High School
What Teachers Are Saying…
“Students begged us to have practice. Because
it was not a part of any curriculum, our practices
were held at night, after sports practices and on
Saturdays.”
Kim Jones, teacher
Kittson Central High School
What Teachers Are Saying…
“It is what I needed to bring my Robotics
curriculum to the next level. The entire project
was a continuum of design – manufacture –
problem solve. The ideas, enthusiasm and
creativity of the students made this a truly
enjoyable experience.”
Lee Weigle, teacher
Waubun High School
What Teachers Are Saying…
“They learned to think outside the box and that
their ideas could be really good and respected
by their classmates. They lost their reluctance to
just let an idea hang out there.”
Gail Ringey, teacher
Sullivan Middle School
Competition Overview
Two components:
Robotics (the thematic game/engineering
challenge)
- Includes a required Project Engineering Notebook
The BEST Award (optional for schools)
- Robotics, Project Engineering Notebook, plus:
Marketing Presentation
Team Exhibit & Interview
Spirit & Sportsmanship
The Robotics Game
• New educational theme/challenge and field each year
• Challenge and field kept secret until Kick Off Day
“unveiling”
• Playing field is usually a 24’ x 24’ configuration
• Points awarded for successful completion of tasks
• 4 teams compete per 3-minute match
• Each team competes in 5-8 matches in a seeding
round
• Two students participate in each match, a driver and a
spotter
Drivers & Spotters
• Only one person per match is allowed to operate robot
(driver).
• Prior to the competition, each team submits a driver list.
– Multiple drivers required for each school. (REF: Generic Game
Rules)
• The spotter assists the driver in directing the robot. The
spotter may be any student from the team.
• Allowable communication techniques between the driver
and the spotter vary depending on the game specific
rules.
• Only one adult teacher or coach is allowed in the “pit”
area at any time.
– Students may adjust or repair robots in the pit area between
matches.
Rules, Rules, Rules…
The contest rules (and interpretation) come from these
sources:
– Generic Game Rules – core set of rules that remain (nearly) constant
from year-to-year
– Game Specific Rules – rules that define the unique requirements for
the year’s game
– Generic Kit Notes – general guidance on proper use of the return kit
items
– Returnable/Consumable Kit List(s) – define the only legal parts that
can be used
– Q&A (BRI web site) – the ONLY official source of rules clarifications
and interpretations
– All teams have access to this site after kick-off
2013 Contest
2013 BEST Events
Kick-Off Day - September 7th
Mall Day – October 12th
Game Day - October 18th and 19th
Northern Plains BEST – December 5th - 7th
Kick-Off Day
September 7th, 2013
New London-Spicer High School Gym
Kick-Off activities will be held from
approximately 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kick-Off Day
Unveiling of playing field and game rules
Distribution of Kits (all teams receive the same materials)
– Returnables – equipment to make robot run
• Motors, servos, batteries, VEX Control system
• Pulleys, battery charger, fuses, switches
– Consumables – raw materials for building robot
• Longest items are 4” x 5’ PVC tubes
• Includes 4 - 2’ x 4’ plywood pieces
• Miscellaneous hardware components
Q & A about game rules
BEST Award workshops
The clock starts ticking…
Kick-Off Day
Kick-Off Day
Kick-Off Day
Kick-Off Day
Kick-Off Day
Teams should study complexities of game field
Teams should identify and discuss offensive/
defensive strategies
Teams should photo/video game field
The veteran teams start discussing potential
designs while still at Kick-Off Day!
Some teams (parents/mentors) build a portion of
the game field for practice
– Schematics are provided on the CD in the KickOff packet of materials.
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Playing Field Examples
Kick-Off Day Expectations
All teams MUST have at least one team
representative at the Kick-Off!
(recommend more…)
All teams MUST pick up and inventory their
kit of parts before leaving the Kick-Off.
Mall Day
Saturday, October 12th, 2013
Kandi Mall in Willmar
Mall Day activities will take place from
approximately 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mall Day
Mall Day is optional for teams…but highly
recommended!
Purpose:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Practice competitive driving
Define/refine team’s strategy
Test/troubleshoot robot
“Size up” the competition
Build school spirit
Promote BEST to the community
Pre-compliance check
Mall Day
Mall Day
Mall Day
Game Day 2012
Friday, October 18th (1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
&
Saturday, October 19th (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Location: New London-Spicer High School
(Pre)Game Day
Project Engineering Notebook judging:
– Every team in the competition MUST submit a
notebook
– Notebooks must be mailed/delivered to hub by a
specified day and time the week prior to Game
Day (ref. Awards & Judging Part 2)
– Typically judged on the Friday of Game Day and
returned to teams on Saturday
Game Day (Friday)
Team registration
BEST Award Team Exhibit (set-up & judging)
BEST Award Marketing Presentations
Compliance Check-in (robots)
Mandatory Pit Meeting
Practice driving sessions
Game Day (Saturday)
Robot matches
Preliminary rounds (5-8 matches per team)
Semi-final rounds (top 8 teams)
Championship rounds (top 4 teams)
Awards ceremony
Returnables Kit check-in/return
Brief meeting for advancing teams
Game Day Arena
Game Day Arena
Game Day Arena
Game Day Arena
Game Day Arena
Pit Area
Each team is provided one 8-foot table
Each team is allowed 4 students and 1
teacher/mentor in the pit area at a time
Teams may bring hand tools, cordless drills, and
spare parts into pit area (no power provided to
each table)
Technical assistance station provided with power
tools, soldering irons, etc.
Battery charging station provided
Game Day Arena
Awards & Judging
Competition Awards
The following will be awarded trophies:
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Robotics Competition
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place BEST Award
The following awards will receive plaques:
• Robotics Finalist
• Founder’s Award for Creative Design
• Most Robust Robot Award
Competition Awards
Special Awards
• Best Project Engineering Notebook Award
• Best Marketing Presentation Award
• Best Team Exhibit & Interview Award
• Best Spirit & Sportsmanship Award
• Top Gun (most points scored in a single match)
• Rookie (best first-year team)
• Teamwork
BEST Award
The BEST Award is the most prized of all awards.
It is presented to the team that best embodies the
attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering,
Science and Technology”
BEST Award Categories
All teams are eligible for the BEST Award
Judging is based on five categories (100 points
possible):
–
–
–
–
–
Project Engineering Notebook (25 points)
Marketing Presentation (25 points)
Team Exhibit and Interviews (20 points)
Spirit and Sportsmanship (15 points)
Robot Performance (15 points)
BEST Award Guidelines
In order for a team to be eligible to compete for the
BEST Award at the Regional event, the team
must have competed for the BEST Award at
their local hub competition.
Judging Procedure
As each team completes a category, it will receive
a category score that is the average of individual
scores of the judges reviewing it.
A normalization procedure is applied to reduce
discrepancies in scoring between judges.
Teams should know in advance that scores among
many teams frequently differ by only fractions of
a point.
Category I: Project Engineering Notebook
(25 Points)
The notebook will be judged on the documentation of the
team’s:
– Implementation of the Engineering Design Process
– Research Paper
– Brainstorming Approaches
– Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives
– Offensive and Defensive Evaluation (Strategy)
– Design Creativity
– Support Documentation
– Overall Quality and Completeness of Notebook
Project Engineering Notebook
Score Sheet
Purpose: To document the process used to design, build, and test the robot (25
Points)
DESIGN PROCESS (15 Points)

Implementation of the Engineering Design Process
Evidence that the engineering process was effectively used.
Possible
Points
Brainstorming Approaches
How well organized and productive was the brainstorming approach used and
documented
Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives
Use of analytical and mathematical skills in deciding upon and implementing
design alternatives
Offensive and Defensive Evaluation
Analysis of gaming strategies and design elements to achieve goals
▪
Any related information of game theme, such as history, famous
inventor(s), or major milestones.
Comments:
▪
Creativity in linking game theme to appropriately related science
content
Comments:
▪
Proper use of grammar and composition throughout paper, citations
of sources used to gather information for paper, stayed within 2-5
page limit
Comments:
25
25

25

Comments:

Safety
Evidence that safety training occurred and safe practices were followed to
prevent students’ misuse of tools and other devices/equipment that may result in
personal injury or damage to property
Support Documentation
CAD/other drawings, photos, team organization, meeting minutes, test results,
etc. that support the main document
10
10
10
Submission of completed Team Demographics Form
15
Organization and appearance
Table of contents, summary, page numbers, discussion of evaluation
points, linkage to appendices.
Comments:
Adherence to specifications
Standard binder, business font no smaller than 12 pt., double-spaced
(single spaced ok in tables and outlines), 30 one-sided page limit for
main section, 20 double-sided page limit for appendices, 1” margins,
required cover information.
Comments:
15
15
25

Comments:

10
OVERALL QUALITY AND COMPLETENESS OF NOTEBOOK (6 Points)

Comments:

Correlation between game and how the science/technology is being
used at a company/industry/research lab in the team’s state or region
25
Comments:

▪
Comments:
Comments:

RESEARCH PAPER (4 Points)
Score
Quality of content
Well written descriptions, clear photo labels, lack of extraneous material,
etc.
Comments:
Total
25
15
250
÷10
Final score:
25
÷ 10
Category II: Marketing Presentation
(25 Points)
– Company Information
– Design and Manufacturing Process (Engineering
Process)
– Use of Available Technology
– Marketing Strategies
– Team Demographics and Operations
– Quality of Presentation
BEST Award
Marketing Presentation
Marketing Presentation
Score Sheet
Purpose: To present information and respond to questions concerning
the team’s experience in the BEST process. (25 pts.)
Possible
Points
TEAM DEMOGRAPHICS & OPERATIONS (2 Points)
Score

COMPANY INFORMATION (2 Points)

Well-defined roles as company employees/owners/managers
Company team-building (team-building activities, representation and
percentage of team involved in robot development, methods of team decisionmaking, etc.)
10
Comments:
10
Comments:


Organization of company departments for product development
10
Comments:

Brainstorming approaches
Comments:
Analytical evaluation of design alternatives
10
QUALITY OF PRESENTATION (10 Points)
DESIGN & MANUFACTURING PROCESS (ENGINEERING PROCESS) (4 Points)

Company team demographics (evidence of team diversity – male, female,
variety of grades represented, minority involvement) . . . .
Comments:
10

Communication skills and professionalism of presenters. Understandable,
well organized, prepared.
40
Comments:
10
Comments:

Met specifications for presentations (time limit, minimum 4 presenters,
maximum 8 presenters, set-up and break-down by students)
10
Comments:

Offensive & Defensive strategy evaluation
10
Comments:

Achieved goal of marketing the team’s ‘product’
10
Comments:

Effective Implementation of process
10
Comments:

Creativity of format
20
Comments:
MARKETING STRATEGIES (3 Points)

Publicity efforts to inform school and community of their effort (e.g. school
newsletters, presentations to community and/or school groups,
fliers/brochures, posters, press releases, etc.
Comments:

30
Q&A quality in responses to judges
20
Comments:
Overall Comments:
USE OF AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY (4 Points)
▪
CAD or other drawings/other examples
20
Comments:
Total
▪
WEB page development/computer simulations
20
250
÷10
Final score: 25 max
÷ 10
Category III: Team Exhibit & Interviews
(20 Points)
The purpose of the table display and interviews category is to:
– Communicate, through a display and through discussion
with judges, information about the team’s efforts to
promote BEST in the community and schools
– Foster BEST spirit, camaraderie, and participation
– Give evidence of sportsmanship
Team Exhibit & Interviews
Score Sheet
Purpose: To creatively a) communicate an understanding of the game
theme, and b) demonstrate how the team has promoted BEST in the
school and community (20 pts.)
Possible
Points
Comments:
Score
EXHIBIT: LEVEL & QUALITY OF INFORMATION PRESENTED ON
PROMOTION OF BEST CONCEPT (13 points)

Sharing information and/or technology resources, and mentoring other schools,
including other BEST teams
15
INTERVIEWS AT EXHIBIT, IN PIT, AND IN STANDS (7 points)
▪
Comments:
Evidence of students’ enthusiasm, learning experience, and
understanding of the game theme
20
Comments:

Presentations & robot demonstrations to other schools & community groups
15
Comments:
▪
Evidence that recruitment efforts for this team included multiple grade
levels and students from a cross-section of the school population
10
Comments:

Publicity (print materials, media/press) generated within the school and within the
community about BEST
15
Comments:
▪
Evidence that students were the primary designers and builders of robot
40
Comments:

Fund raising and/or sponsorship efforts (strategies used to recruit sponsors, team
fund raisers, description of how funds were allocated to support team, team budget
information available for review)
15
Comments:
Total
200
÷10

Use of technology, display models or boards, or multi-media at exhibit in promotion
of BEST
Final score: 20 max
20
Comments:

Creativity in incorporating game theme into design and presentation of this exhibit
40
Comments:

Compliance with specifications (did not exceed space allocation)
Comments:
10
Additional Comments:
÷ 10
Team Exhibit Examples
Team Exhibit Examples
Team Exhibit Examples
Team Exhibit Examples
Team Exhibit Examples
Team Exhibit Examples
Team Exhibit Examples
Category IV: Spirit and Sportsmanship
(15 Points)
Judges and hub personnel evaluate this category
throughout the competition
They observe the spirit promoted by the team
during the competition as well as the team’s
conduct in the seating area, team exhibit area,
game floor, and pit area
Toward the end of the competition, teams also
submit a “Team Ballot” to vote for the team(s)
they believe are exhibiting the best spirit and
sportsmanship.
Spirit and Sportsmanship
Score Sheet
Purpose: To display team spirit & sportsmanship at the Competition (15
points)
Possible
Points
Score
SPIRIT ! (7 points)

20
Exhibit vigor and enthusiasm throughout competition event.
Comments:

20
Use of signs, posters, props, costumes, t-shirts, etc.
Comments:

15
Cheerleaders, mascots, bands, organized noise-makers, etc.
Comments:

15
Number of supporters with school (other than students)
Comments:
SPORTSMANSHIP (8 points)

30
Outward display of sportsmanship.(e.g. helping other teams in need)
Comments:

Conduct an attitude considered befitting participation in sports (e.g., grace
in winning or losing).
20
Comments:

Evidence that students are the primary “pit crew” (robot repairs and
adjustments during competition)
Comments:
30
Total
Final Score
150
÷ 10
15 max
÷ 10
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
Freebies (with logo)
Picture give-aways
Team/robot fact sheets
BEST Award
Spirit & Sportsmanship
Creative Gimmicks
Creative Gimmicks
Creative Gimmicks
Creative Gimmicks
Team T-Shirt Examples
Category V: Robot Performance
(15 Points)
These 15 points will be based on the total game points earned during
the preliminary rounds according to the following scale:
– Team finishes in top 20% of all teams competing at hub - 15 Points
– Team finishes in top 40% of all teams competing at hub - 12 Points
– Team finishes in top 60% of all teams competing at hub - 9 Points
– Team finishes in top 80% of all teams competing at hub - 6 Points
– Team finishes in top 100% of all teams competing at hub - 3 Point
– Team is unable to score any points during the competition - 0 Points
Up to 15 Robot Performance points will be added to the total BEST
Award points.
BEST Award
Robot Performance
Results
Each advancing team will be mailed a copy of their score
sheets following the local competition.
Score sheets of non-advancing teams will be mailed upon
request.
Judges will provide as much feedback as possible to the
teams.
Teams advancing to the Regional competitions can use
judges’ comments to make improvements as they wish.
Robot Kits
Robot Kits
• Two kits supplied by hub:
– Returnables kit
• Expensive items
• Do not modify
• Return at end of competition
– Consumables kit
• Miscellaneous building supplies
• Can modify any items
(REF: Returnable & Consumable Kit lists)
• Do not use any items not contained in the
kits!
Safety
Safety glasses
Hearing protection
Dust mask
Buddy system
Keep work area clean
Supervise students at all times
Some Basics
Only use the parts supplied in the kit.
The robot must fit into a two foot cube and
cannot weigh over 24 pounds.
Equipment included in the Returnable kit MUST
be returned at the conclusion of the
competition…do not modify*!
All machines will be inspected for compliance
with rules before the contest.
*Exceptions: servo horns, open stock belt
Returnable Kit Items
Servos
WiFi key
Analog
Digital
i/o
(4)
Joystick
Servo Extensions
USB/Tether
Serial
Motors/
Servos
AAA Battery Charger
Controller
(2)
Battery
(2)
USB A-A cable
(2)
Servo Horns*
(2)
Servo Mount H/W
(16)
Returnable Kit Items
Drive Components*
7.2V Battery Charger
(2)
Motors
(2)
Battery Adapter
Motor
Controller (4)
(2)
Screw Terminal
Sensor i/f Cable (8)
Screw Terminal
Motor i/f Cable (4)
7.2V Battery
(2)
Motors
Four motors are supplied:
Two large
Two small
Motors are used to power:
Drive wheels
Lifting mechanisms
Grippers
Motors may be mounted using
the brackets and screws
supplied in the consumable kit
(although not required)
Servos
Four servos are supplied.
Servos can be used to
operate various
mechanisms on the robot
(e.g., grippers).
Servos can rotate up to
120 degrees (+/- 60
degrees).
Servo horns CAN be
modified.
Batteries
Primary source of power
for robot.
Two 7.2 Volt NiMH
batteries included in kit.
Capacity: 3000 mAhr
Only 1 battery on the
machine at a time!
Batteries
Manage your batteries carefully!
Team-owned batteries not allowed on the
field on game day.
Batteries can overheat if overcharged
– No excuse for a battery meltdown!
– Monitor batteries during charging
VEXnet Cortex M3 Controller
8 Analog
Inputs
12 Digital
Inputs/Outputs
Speaker
Output
System Status Indicators
WiFi 802.11g
Communications
Standard Serial
Interfaces
(UART, I2C)
10 Motor/Servo
Ports
VEXnet Cortex M3 Controller
Configuration
Switch
(used for special
procedures)
Backup Battery Port
for WiFi
Communications (9V)
75 MHz Crystal
Interface Ports
(not used by BEST)
On/Off
Switch
Main Battery Port
(7.2V)
VEX Cortex Microcontroller
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
VEXnet 802.11g WiFi communication
32-bit dual ARM CPUs
8 analog inputs
12 digital input/output
10 motor/servo ports
DAC speaker output
2 UART serial ports
1 I2C port (sensors)
Programmable controller
• easyC, ROBOTC, MATLAB software licenses included
VEXnet Joystick
“Playstation” Game-Style Controller
8 Buttons on Top
2 XY Analog Joysticks
Power Switch
6 AAA
Rechargeable
Batteries
Plug-in USB/WiFi Key
4 Buttons on Front
Programming Interface
3-Axis Accelerometer
(XY Tilt, XYZ Accel, Shake)
Example Hookup
DC Motors
Motor Screw
Terminal
Cortex
Controller
Battery
Motor
Controller
Servo
VEXnet Communications
Microcontroller and joystick
communicate through
matching pair of VEXnet
802.11g WiFi keys
(proprietary communication).
Operation in “tethered”
mode possible using
USB cable between
controller and joystick.
Default Configuration
• VEX controller pre-installed with “default”
program
• Allows a team to hook up the Cortex and
have it work without having to program it.
• This is NOT the only configuration for the
Cortex!
• Good for initial checkout, but we want
teams to load a unique configuration.
VEX Programming Software
Three Programming Software Options:
• easyC (intelitek)
— Graphical-like drag-n-drop programming
— Full C language support (allows direct C programming
option)
• ROBOTC (Carnegie Mellon University)
— C-based programming language
— Supports several robotics platforms (LEGO Mindstorms)
• MATLAB/SIMULINK (Mathworks)
— Graphical programming/modeling environment
— Simulation capability
easyC Software
• Preferred option for new users
• Autonomous or joystick (WiFi) control capabilities
• Graphical drag-n-drop programming
— Dialog boxes simplify programming tasks
— C code generated as program is built
• Knowledge of C programming language not required
— Code can be edited directly through text editor
• Intuitive GUI allows easy programming of motors,
servos, sensors, etc. to joysticks or buttons
easyC Software Interface
Configuration
Motors, servos, and
sensors can be plugged
into any port on the
microcontroller and
configured using the
software.
Components can be
activated using joysticks
or buttons.
Programming Steps
• Create program in easyC using function
blocks and dialog boxes
• Compile and build program using Ccompiler
• Download program to VEX controller using
USB cable
Creating a Program
Drag and drop
function blocks into
the main program.
C code is written and
can be edited directly.
Dialog boxes
open to set
parameters.
Downloading a Program
Direct USB Download
Tethered Download
Consumable Kit Items
• Plywood/lumber
• Sheet aluminum, steel, polypropylene,
polycarbonate
• PVC pipe and fittings (various sizes)
• Wire, terminals, switches
• Hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, washers, rods,
etc)
• Tape, glue, epoxy
• Twine, rubber bands, paper clips, inner tube, etc.
• Additional list of “team-supplied” items
Robot Examples
Robot Examples
Robot Examples
Robot Examples
Robot Examples
Robot Examples
Resources
• Online documentation (BRI Site)
– File Manager
– http://www.bestinc.org
• Official BRI Q&A
– Use “Official Q&A” page during contest for “rules specific” questions
• VEX Forum
– http://www.vexforum.com/forum.php
– Technical questions about VEX equipment, including easyC and ROBOTC
• Robot Events
– http://admin.robotevents.com
– Team registration and demographics collection
– Contact Greg Young to set up account (greg.young@capitol-best.org)
Enough already…
“Dr. Kallmeyer, may I be excused? My head is full.”