By CLARA WELLES, Date 09/11 2020

New Mexico BEST Robotics in partnership with the College of Engineering at New Mexico State University announces open recruitment for teams to participate in the 2020 BEST Robotics Program and Competition: Outbreak Online.

BEST Robotics is an extracurricular after-school program that provides all materials – including robotics kits, student and facilitator training, software and guidelines – free of cost to schools, students and teachers. Additionally, this year, the entire competition will be held online, including a virtual robot design competition and competing on a 3D game field.

Schools and community groups that are interested in hosting a team can find more information at engrstem.nmsu.edu/nm-best.

BEST Robotics is an interdisciplinary after-school program for students grades 6 through 12 that takes place during the fall. Through the program, students are provided a holistic experience where they use their skills to build robots, learn the basics of coding and utilize simulation software to test their strategies prior to the competition.

In addition to the STEM-based robotics competition, there’s also the BEST Award that takes an entrepreneurial slant incorporating marketing, trade booth exhibits and design, community outreach, product pitching and closing the deal.

Schools of every kind are invited and encouraged to participate, with teams ranging in size from a two-student minimum to as large as 40-plus students. There are no advantages to having a bigger or larger team or school; all teams are given the same robotics kit at the same time.

Through the competition, students participants learn the practical use of math concepts and applied physics, understand the roles of an engineer, experience design-to-market product development, engage in collaboration in a teamwork-heavy environment, solve real-world science and engineering problems, build fluency in project management, connect to mentors and self-directed learning and develop as leaders and decision makers.

Teachers, principals and administrators interested in participating or learning more can reach BEST Robotics at engr-nm@nmsu.edu or 575-646-7854. Registration closes Sept.