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Challenging robotics competition prepares students for high-tech future
Young scientists from 14 area middle and high schools tested their science, math and problem-solving skills at the seventh annual Emerald Coast BEST Robotics competition Saturday at the University of West Florida. This year’s theme, Blade Runner, involved students using teamwork and innovative thinking to execute five sets of tasks to assemble and position a wind turbine into a completed state. Each team was judged on its robot performance, marketing presentation, team exhibit, technical notebook and spirit and sportsmanship. The top two overall teams and the team with the top robot advance to the regional competition Dec. 5 – 7 at Auburn University. Woodlawn Beach Middle School took the overall competition and will be joined by Brown Barge Middle School to represent the Emerald Coast BEST hub at Auburn. Gulf Power has sponsored the BEST Robotics competition for the past seven years. The event teaches teamwork, problem solving, project management and pride in task completion. BEST Robotics Inc. — Boosting Engineering Science and Technology — is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology through participation in a sports-like, science and engineering-based robotics competition. “This annual competition has continued to grow in popularity because it provides local students the opportunity to learn engineering, science and math skills in a hands-on practical setting,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesman. “Gulf Power is very proud to sponsor an event that has such a visible impact on local students.” Area schools have been competing in BEST since 2004, when Gulf Power sponsored eight local teams to compete in the BEST hub in Mobile, Ala. The funding of hub operations depends entirely on corporate and individual sponsorships. Materials kits to build the robots are provided to the teams by the hub. No fees are paid by students or schools participating in BEST robotics. AWARD CATEGORIES Advancing to Regionals at South’s BEST – Dec. 5-7 at Auburn University Robotics: Brown Barge Middle School BEST: Woodlawn Beach Middle School BEST Award — The BEST Award is presented to the team that best embodies the attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology” in its development which include teamwork, diversity of participation, sportsmanship, creativity, ethics, positive attitude/enthusiasm, school/community involvement and exposure to and use of the engineering process. 1: Woodlawn Beach Middle School 2: Woodham Middle School 3: Sims Middle School Robotics Award — Awarded to the teams whose machines finish first, second and third in the tournament bracket. 2: Brown Barge Middle School 3: Capstone Academy Founders Award for Creative Design — Awarded to the team that makes best use of the engineering process in consideration of offensive and defensive capabilities in machine design; awarded in recognition of BEST founders Steve Marum and Ted Mahler. Woodlawn Beach Middle School Most Robust Machine — Awarded to the team whose machine requires the least maintenance during and between matches and is generally the sturdiest machine in the competition. Most Photogenic Machine Brown Barge Middle School Gulf Power Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award Little Flower Catholic School Best T-Shirt Design 1: West Florida High School 2: Sims Middle School 3: Woodlawn Beach Middle School Web Page Design Award — Awarded for the best team website; based on page functionality, creative use of the game theme, information about team members and community efforts. Woodham Middle School
Best Spirit and Sportsmanship — Recognizes the vigor and enthusiasm displayed by team representatives and the outward display of sportsmanship (e.g., helping other teams in need), grace in winning and losing, and conduct and attitude considered befitting participation in sports. 1: Seaside Neighborhood School 2: Pace High School 3: Sims Middle School Best Team Exhibit and Interview — The purpose of this 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 and give evidence of sportsmanship. 1: Woodlawn Beach Middle School 2: Woodham Middle School 3: Seaside Neighborhood School Best Marketing Presentation — Teams should view themselves as employees of a “company” that is marketing their “product” (robot) to a potential buyer (judges). This marketing team is an integral part of the engineering team that has designed a specialized robot. 2: Seacoast Collegiate High 3: Seaside Neighborhood School
Best Project Engineering Notebook — The purpose of the notebook is to document the process the team used to design, build and test their robot. 1: Seacoast Collegiate High 2: Sims Middle School 3: Pace High School
2014 Teams: Avalon Middle School Brown-Barge Middle School Capstone Academy Creative Learning Academy J.M. Tate High School Little Flower Catholic School Max Bruner Jr. Middle School Pace High School Seacoast Collegiate High School Seaside Neighborhood School Sims Middle School West Florida High School Woodham Middle School Woodlawn Beach Middle School For more information, visit the website at: http://uwf.edu/ecbest/
Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 436,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.” ###
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