Overview of Conference Sessions
General Audience Track
Session #GN1 - BEST in Education – Robotics and STEM-based curricula; classroom integration; addressing state and national
standards; BEST in Science, BEST in Engineering, BEST in Technology, BEST in Mathematics; and related topics
Session #GN2 - Robotics Programs for K-12 (Session Chair: Velda Morris, Philadelphia BEST, Contact:) –Compare and contrast BEST with other similar programs (FIRST, VEX, BotBall, SeaPerch, etc.); off-season robotics programs; how to participate in multiple programs effectively; and related topics
Session #GN3 - What Is BEST? (Session Chair: Dr. Sue Mitchell, Tennessee Valley BEST, Contact: sue@calhoun.edu) – Presentations concentrating on BEST for sponsors and others new to BEST who want to know more; BEST as K-12 work force development program; community building; how BEST works; how to get involved at various levels; and related topics
Teacher Track
Session #TR1 - Elements of a Successful BEST Team – Building a support network (e.g., other teachers, school personnel, central administration, parents, etc.); recruiting students; incorporating team-building activities and problem-solving exercises; recruiting and effectively utilizing team mentors; instilling leadership, ownership, and accountability; applying a business model approach (CEO,CFO, and division chiefs; product design/engineering, resource management, marketing, and fundraising divisions; etc.); defining and assigning team member roles and responsibilities; and related topics
Session #TR2 - The 42 Days of BEST: Planning Your Work and Working Your Plan – Securing, preparing, and equipping a dedicated and adequately sized work area; training and testing students on “shop and tool safety”; Developing a week-by-week plan for both Robotics and BEST Award teams; creating sub-groups to work on specific components; establishing weekly work schedules; employing effective time and project management tools and strategies; defining roles and responsibilities for mentors, other teachers, and parents; planning team travel to competition events; and related topics
Session #TR3 - Fundraising Strategies and Resources – Identifying funding needs and potential funding sources (e.g., civic groups; industries; educational, corporate, and community-based foundations; establishing a fundraising “division” and booster club; identifying legal, liability-related, and school system policies and concerns; utilizing newspaper, radio, television, and social media; integrating proven and successful strategies, techniques, activities, events, projects, and tips; and related topics
Session #TR4 - Curriculum Integration – Satisfying state/national standards; integrating BEST in cross-curricular studies and courses; incorporating BEST in teaching applied math and science; building an engineering course-of-study around BEST; identifying off-the-shelf curricula; and related topics
Session #TR5 - Problem-Solving with the Engineering Design Process (EDP) (Session Chair: Bob Boyle, Wiregrass BEST, Contact: robert.boyle@us.michelin.com) – Overview of EDP and its effectiveness as a problem-solving tool in robot design and function; EDP use and applications in BEST Award categories; successful problem-solving strategies and techniques; and related topics
Session #TR6 - Building a BEST “Community” – Identifying and recruiting sponsors and “champions”; building local interest and involvement (community activities, K-12 school visits, presentations to local civic organizations, etc.); making the most of social media; recruiting mentors and other technical support; and related topics
Session #TR7 - BEST Award – Success tips and best practices; being competitive in BEST Award categories; anything and everything BEST Award; and related topics
Technical Track
Session #TC1 - Technical Topics for Hubs (Session Chair: Larry Gewax, Dallas BEST, Contact: ) – Compliance related topics (game rules, field construction, compliance check-in, kit materials, etc); scoring software; care and maintenance of kits; testing the kit; mechanical/electrical training; troubleshooting field and kit electronics; robot diagnostics; and related topics
Session #TC2 - BEST Game Development (Session Chair: Greg Young, Capitol BEST, Contact: ) – Overview of game development process, including: game committee purpose, structure, and function; the awarding process and guidelines; components of game (Prototype events; teaser video; animation tutorial; playing field design and schematics; message board; Q&A; etc.); elements of a successful game design (educational theme, real-world engineering challenge, complexity, and “score-ability”); timeline and planning milestones; and related topics
Session #TC3 - “First Things First”: Understanding the Robot Design and Construction Process – Basic functions and critical components of a robot; developing a plan and process for the team to follow; defining the big problem (what it’s supposed to do – the task) and the smaller problems (what the various components need to do to solve the big problem); defining the sub-groups to be designed and built; modeling (CAD) and prototyping; integrating components; testing; construction tips and techniques; configuration control and management techniques; essential tools, gadgets and jigs; understanding the function and application of equipment and materials; and related topics
Session #TC4 - Overview of Software and Other Team Resources – Understanding and utilizing available resources, including software provided by BEST (MathWorks, SolidWorks, Inspirtek, WolfRam Research Mathematica, EasyC, and RobotC); Conde’ Sublimation System, which can be used for the BEST Award, t-shirt imprinting, and fundraising; on-line materials at www.bestinc.org; and related topics
Hub Track
Session #HB1 - Making the Most of BEST at Your College or University – Overview of BEST’s potential impact on your campus; opportunities for collaboration, including research, K-12 teacher preparation, and grant-writing; senior design and class projects; service learning/student organizations; recruitment; public relations and marketing; campus tours; dual enrollment; certification; and related topics
Session #HB2 - Hub Funding Strategies (Session Chair: George Blanks, War Eagle BEST, Contact: ) – Local, state, and federal (e.g., NSF, DOE, NASA, MDA) sources; economic, industrial, and workforce development agencies; corporate partners (vs. sponsors); foundations and grants; in-kind gifts and donations; developing materials and presentations; and related topics
Session #HB3 - Building a BEST “Community” (Session Chair: Robin Fenton, Jubilee BEST) – Identifying and recruiting local education partners and program “champions”; building local interest and involvement; promotional strategies and opportunities; recruiting and working with local schools and school systems; and related topics
Session #HB4 - Effective Hub Management – Event planning; Game Day logistics (facilities, playing field, scoring, pit, volunteers, etc); hub operations and management; hub compliance (BEST policies and procedures; game-related); the “care and feeding” of hub personnel/steering team (strategies for recruitment, training and development; instilling ownership & accountability; roles and responsibilities); strategies for recruiting, scheduling, and training event volunteers; and related topics
Session #HB5 - Developing Effective Training Programs – Identifying training needs of students, teachers, and mentors; selecting an effective format for the audience (e.g., drive-in, weeknight/weekend, and summer); identifying and developing materials and resources; recruiting instructors (teachers, vendors, et al); and related topics
Session #HB6 - Awards and Judging – Policies and procedures compliance; strategies for recruiting, scheduling, and training judges; judging materials and resources; effective judging strategies and practices; scoring procedures; and related topics
Session #HB7 - Best Practices – Hub Effectiveness and Efficiency (Session Chair: Dr. Mike Bright, Wolverine BEST, Contact: mwbright@gcc.edu) – BEST veterans discuss a wide range of topics, including effective techniques, strategies and “best practices” that can help your hub go from good to great; problem-solving advice and suggestions for new hubs; and “lessons learned” – what-not-to-do kinds of experiences and how to avoid them; and related topics
“Best Practices” Poster Session – Thursday, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
In an informal atmosphere during the Exhibitor’s Showcase/Wine & Cheese Reception, teachers and hub personnel will exhibit posters of a “best practice” for their team or hub. (Session Chair: Regina Halpin, Program Chair, BEST National Conference, rhalpin@auburn.edu)