2011 Blazer BEST – BUGS

The UAB’s Blazer BEST Hub anticipates hosting over 650 students at their local competition this fall. We won't tell you this year's theme, unless you really bug us! Here are the dates to know:

September 25 - Mall Day (Riverchase Galleria)
October 8 - Game Day (Bartow Arena)


Please click here for Volunteer Sign-up Form

BEST Robotics is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to engage, excite, and inspire middle and high school students! Our goal is to help encourage them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics‐related careers through participation in a competitive robotics competition. BEST is a grassroots effort that began in 1993 with only 14 schools. Today, there are almost 60 BEST Hubs across the United States including the Blazer BEST Hub at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) that was formed in 2008. BEST is the second largest educational robotics program in the country!

How does BEST work? Using only the materials in the provided kits, student teams have six weeks to design, develop, and test a robot that can outperform their competitors. Typically the competition begins with a kickoff event and concludes with a head-to-head competition. During this time, students experience challenges and breakthroughs. To help coach the students through the process, technical and engineering mentors from local companies and organizations are enlisted. Through their participation in the program and the competition, students have an opportunity to develop their problem-solving and decision-making skills, work as a team, and practice time management. Perhaps most importantly, students increase their confidence and competence through self‐directed learning and abstract thinking. One out of two students surveyed stated that their experience in BEST has influenced their career plans after high school.

FREE for all! Arguably one of the most attractive aspects of the BEST competition is that ANY school can join and there is NO FEE for students or schools to participate in the program. Additionally all equipment and materials for the robotic division of the competition are provided to the school at no cost. This has allowed the Blazer BEST Hub to reach out to schools that otherwise would not be able to participate in such an activity due to lack of funding – particularly those located in low-income neighborhoods in the greater Birmingham area.

Sponsors Needed! Since there is no fee for students or schools to participate, the UAB School of Engineering is seeking almost $28,000 in sponsorships to cover the costs associated with the various aspects of hosting the competition. Sponsorship funds are tax deductible and 100% of the funds raised through the sponsorships will be used at the event to benefit schools in the Greater Birmingham area.

Here is a list of schools already registered:
Alabama School of Fine Arts
The Altamont School Upper Level
The Altamont School Lower Level
Berry Middle School
Briarwood Christian Team 1
Briarwood Christian Team 2
Bumpus Middle School
Bush Middle School
Carver High School
Duran Junior High School
Homewood High School
Homewood Middle School
Hoover High School
Isabella High School

J.H. Phillips Academy
Jackson-Olin High School
Oak Mountain High School
Parker High School
Prince of Peace Catholic Middle School
Shades Valley Technical Academy
Simmons Middle School
Spain Park High School
Woodlawn High School