BEST 2015 – Pay Dirt

2015 Game Theme – PAY DIRT!

The BEST Inc. Mining Division has purchased a mine that contains several valuable resources in record-shattering concentrations – but there’s a problem: The mine is far too dangerous for humans. Consequently, the mine was decommissioned years ago and has since fallen into disrepair. Initial evaluations of the mine have revealed five lucrative materials at various depths beneath the surface.  BEST has released a request for proposal (RFP) to prototype a robotic system that can repair the mine and retrieve these commodities.

Companies competing to get this job will spend the next 6 weeks brainstorming, designing, building, and testing a robot to perform these tasks. Since the winning company will get to run the mine, BEST Inc. Mine Division will be reviewing the companies’ Project Documentation (Engineering Notebook), Sales Presentation (Oral Presentation – at regionals), Company Exhibit Booth (where BEST Inc. Mine Division representatives will interview company representatives about their product and company), as well as their company’s culture and business ethics (Spirit and Sportsmanship) will be considered. Success will also depend on the company’s net profit (scores in robot performance against opponents). Companies will also have to consider the market values of the commodities in the mine and how they change over time. So, they need to be able to adjust their priorities during this challenge.

ABS Trobotics BEST 2015 Logo

 

2015 Pay Dirt Animation

Meet G.A.Z.L.O.W.E.

(Gear Accelerated Zoning Loading Organizing Working Excavator)
Features
  • An effector with a clawed hand and programmed with incremental wrist movement for better grip on the replacement air filter, and core samples
  • Block and Tackle System used to collect the mine cart full of copper and then use it as a container for collecting other ores in the mine
  • Scoop mechanism for collecting mine commodities
  • Expertly cut gears for a mechanical advantage
 
Abilities
  • Collects all ores from the mine
  • Can repair the broken pipe and replace air filter
  • Collects core samples from the mine

ABS Orientation Night

We set up our 2014 Blade Runner Booth and demonstrated our Blade Runner Robot for students, parents, and faculty at our back-to-school orientation night. We let students take turns driving the robot, passed out brochures about BEST and our team, and we told students what it was like to be on a robotics team. We encouraged them to join our team.

 ABS High School Presentation

We were able to give a presentation in front of the High School student body in our auditorium. We told the students about BEST Robotics and showed them what it is like to be on the team. We also showed them a video from the 2014 Blade Runner Game Day so they could see what it’s like to be at the competition.

ABS Fall Festival 
We set up a booth at our school’s annual Fall Festival (which is open to the public) in hopes to educate not only our school but also the community about BEST Robotics. We played a video from the 2014 Blade Runner Competition so they could see how exciting it is to be at competition. We explained the 2015 Pay Dirt game theme and told them about our new robot’s design.
 Presentation/Robot Demonstration at Johnson Elementary
We were able to present at Johnson Elementary to inform the students about BEST and how to form their own team. We told them what it was like to be on a robotics team and showed them a video from a past competition so they could see how fun it is. We carried our 2015 Pay Dirt Prototype and demonstrated it for the students. There was a great response from the students there and they are currently looking into joining one of our local hubs. 
 Appearance on Cooper & Company (Local TV Station)

We appeared on Cooper & Company, a morning show on a local TV station to inform the community about the upcoming BEST Robotics competition. We also had a chance to demonstrate our 2015 Pay Dirt prototype and explain this year’s game theme. 

 OTHER MEANS OF OUTREACH IN OUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

 Sharing With Other Teams

 

New Spirit Stick Tradition at Little Rock BEST Kick Off Day

We started a new tradition at the Little Rock BEST Kick-off. We made a ‘Spirit Stick’ that we awarded to the team who showed the most enthusiasm for this year’s game during Kick-off. We did this to encourage more excitement and spirit among other teams at Kick-off not only this year but every year. We chose Central High School as this year’s winner. Each year’s winner will be chosen by the current holder of the spirit stick. 
 

 Mentored New Little Rock BEST Teams after Booth Judging on Game Day 2015

An interesting thing happened to these two during the exhibit and interview judging at competition that has never happened before. So, we have to tell you about it.

After the judges finished interviewing these two team members and after checking out the booth decor and how things were presented and displayed in the marketing booth, they told our students, “Come with us, we want to gather up some students from some of the other booths and bring them back to your display.”

The judges gathered some team members from teams who are new to Little Rock BEST and brought them back to our booth. We had about 30 students gathered around in all. Then the judges told our team, “Now do your presentation again for them exactly the way you did it for us. We want you to mentor these new teams by showing them how this should be done.” We were honored to do our presentation for the other teams and hope that the things we said will help them prepare for their booth presentations next year.

 

 

 

 

APPEARANCE ON ZTV

Second Place BEST Award

First Place Team Exhibit and Interview