10/19/02

AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL TEAM

WINNERS FROM ALABAMA BEST ROBOTICS COMPETITION AT AUBURN

AUBURN -- On Friday and Saturday (Oct. 18-19), student teams from 53 area middle and high schools participated in the 2002 Alabama BEST robotics competition at Auburn University. BEST -- Boosting Engineering Science and Technology -- is a national student competition that pits schools in head-to-head competition. The theme of this year's competition is "Warp X Blast from the Past."

The high school competition, held at Auburn University's Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, included middle school teams that competed Friday at the McWare Center at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Winner joined the high school teams on the AU campus on Saturday.

Austin High School placed first in the robotics competition, Auburn High School placed second, and Alabama Avenue Middle School placed third. Stanhope Elmore High School won first in the BEST award, which is given to the team that best embodies the spirit of BEST. Teams were judged on their project summary notebook, oral presentations, table displays and interviews and spirit and sportsmanship. Priceville High School placed second, and Auburn High School third.

First and second place winners of the robotics and BEST awards will travel to Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, on Nov. 22-23 for the National Competition. Awards were also given for best web page; most creative robot design; and most photogenic, most robust and most elegant robots.

The mission of BEST is to inspire and interest students in pursuing careers in math and science. Each student team was given six weeks to design and build a remote controlled robot from the materials kit provided by Alabama BEST sponsors.

Jennifer Cox, team advisor and science teacher at Stanhope-Elmore High School, says her student team was so excited about the project that they began working on designs before they picked up their parts kits.

"When the students first open the box of parts, it's a little overwhelming," says Cox. "But these students are capable of design and trial-and-error. Our three mentors helped them with the math that was required to translate their ideas into real-world action, and provided general direction."

BEST co-director George Blanks, who is also director of business and engineering continuing education for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering explains that BEST is truly a team effort involving teachers, sponsors, mentors, and students.

"Strong support from mentors and sponsors is critical to the success of the program," he points out.

This year's supporters include corporate sponsor Southern Company; platinum sponsors Honda, Lowe's Home Improvement Center, and AU Outreach; gold sponsor Briggs and Stratton; silver sponsor Rheem Manufacturing. Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the College of Science and Mathematics, in partnership with the UAB School of Engineering hosted the event.

Numerous Auburn students from the sponsoring colleges were involved in game day events. This year, students from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction joined the team to design and construct the game set. In all, nearly 100 Auburn students were involved.

"The chance for high school students to interact with college students in the campus setting is an important aspect of this event," says BEST co-director, and COSAM outreach director Mary Lou Howard. "It helps put a personal face on the college experience."

The rapid spread of BEST from its beginnings in Texas is testament to program's success. Blanks and Howard anticipate that by next year the number of competition sites in the Southeast will grow and that Auburn will become the site for the southeast regional competition. "I believe this event is the best thing that has happened in education in Alabama in a long time," says Auburn High School teacher and team advisor Stan Arington. "It is cross disciplinary - involving students interested in math and science to computers to film production to art to metal and wood working -- and it is hands-on. BEST is a perfect example of K-12 and higher education working together to benefit the citizens of the state of Alabama."

Anyone interested in learning more about the program, volunteering as a mentor, or becoming a sponsor should contact Blanks at 334/844-5759 or Mary Lou Howard at 334/844-5745.

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Here are the winners from the two-day 2002 Alabama BEST robotics competition that wrapped up Saturday at Auburn University:

Robotics Competition
1.  Austin High School
2.  Auburn High School
3.  Alabama Avenue Middle School
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BEST Award
1.  Stanhope Elmore High School
2.  Priceville High School
3.  Auburn High School
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Best Web Page
Stanhope Elmore High School
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T-Shirt Design
1.  Pickens County High School
2.  Parker High School
3.  Stanhope Elmore High School
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Most Photogenic Robot
1.  Lamar County High School
2.  Stanhope Elmore High School
3.  Vestavia Hills High School
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Most Robust Robot
1.  Lamar County High School
2.  Vestavia Hills High School
3.  Northside High School
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Most Elegant Robot
1.  East Limestone High School
2.  Lamar County High School
3.  Austin High School
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Founders Award
1.  East Limestone High School
2.  Lamar County High School
3. Vestavia Hills High School

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oct02:AU-best

CONTACT: Blanks, 334/844-5759; or Mary Lou Howard, 334/844-5754.