Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology

BESTBESTBoosting Engineering, Science, and TechnologyBoosting Engineering, Science, and Technology

The BEST ProgramWhat is it?

If you build it....they will fail!If you build it....they will fail!If you build it....they will fail!If you build it....they will fail!

Copyright © 2010 BEST Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved.July 31, 2010 1

How It WorksHow It Works

• Emulate a Start-to-Finish Product Development

• Mimic Industry

• Time-To-Market

• Design/Cost Constraints

• Design To Function

• Team students with MENTORS from Industry

• Inspiration

• Guidance

• Knowledge

July 31, 2010 Copyright © 2010 BEST Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

Product DevelopmentProduct DevelopmentBEST emulates real product developmentBEST emulates real product development

Design & construction

Technical documentation

Public Relations

Designing & building the robotEngineering process

Engineering Design NotebookDocumenting the design process

Team exhibit/ conference booth


Public Relations

Product Marketing

Teaming

Company/Product Advocate

Team exhibit/ conference boothPromotion of BEST within the communityTeam website

Marketing presentation to judgesInformal interviews by judges

Team organization/operation

Team Spirit/ Sportsmanship

Game Themes Mirror Industry…Game Themes Mirror Industry…

• Each year a brand new game is conceived

• The game is “themed” around real-world industry

issues or activities.

• Students are introduced to various industries and

real-world problems by participating; for examplereal-world problems by participating; for example

2008 Just Plane Crazy Airplane Manufacturing

2009 High Octane Chemical Engineering

2010 Total Recall Six Sigma Production Quality

2011 BUGS! Genetic Engineering

2012 WARP XX Space Elevator

2013 Gatekeeper Logic Design/Semiconductors

Copyright © 2010 BEST Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved.

July 31, 2010 4

Past Game ThemesPast Game Themes

2001 2001 2001 2001 ––––RAD to the CoreRAD to the CoreRAD to the CoreRAD to the Core

Save the Save the Save the Save the

July 31, 2010 5Copyright © 2010 BEST Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved.

Save the Save the Save the Save the reactor from reactor from reactor from reactor from meltdown by meltdown by meltdown by meltdown by removing fuel removing fuel removing fuel removing fuel rodsrodsrodsrods


2003 2003 2003 2003 ––––Transfusion ConfusionTransfusion ConfusionTransfusion ConfusionTransfusion Confusion

Shrink your machine Shrink your machine Shrink your machine Shrink your machine and go into the body and go into the body and go into the body and go into the body


to remove diseased to remove diseased to remove diseased to remove diseased blood cells...ala blood cells...ala blood cells...ala blood cells...ala Fantastic Voyage!Fantastic Voyage!Fantastic Voyage!Fantastic Voyage!


2004 2004 2004 2004 ––––BEST FeverBEST FeverBEST FeverBEST Fever

ReReReRe----sequence sequence sequence sequence SQUEAKY’S DNA SQUEAKY’S DNA SQUEAKY’S DNA SQUEAKY’S DNA


SQUEAKY’S DNA SQUEAKY’S DNA SQUEAKY’S DNA SQUEAKY’S DNA to save his life!to save his life!to save his life!to save his life!

How BEST WorksHow BEST WorksThe KitThe KitThe KitThe KitConstrained Parts SelectionConstrained Parts SelectionConstrained Parts SelectionConstrained Parts Selection

6 weeks6 weeks6 weeks6 weeks

ConceptConceptConceptConcept

DesignDesignDesignDesign

BuildBuildBuildBuild

TestTestTestTest

Team of StudentsTeam of StudentsTeam of StudentsTeam of Students•Unlimited SizeUnlimited SizeUnlimited SizeUnlimited Size•Various BackgroundsVarious BackgroundsVarious BackgroundsVarious Backgrounds

RemoteRemoteRemoteRemote----ControlledControlledControlledControlledMachineMachineMachineMachine

The RulesThe RulesThe RulesThe RulesSize, Weight SpecificationsSize, Weight SpecificationsSize, Weight SpecificationsSize, Weight SpecificationsTask (Game) DescriptionTask (Game) DescriptionTask (Game) DescriptionTask (Game) Description

MentorsMentorsMentorsMentorsPerformancePerformancePerformancePerformance

HeadHeadHeadHead----totototo----Head CompetitionHead CompetitionHead CompetitionHead Competition


Planning/Project Mgmt

Concept

Design Process&

Community CompanySales/

Product Development Functions Emphasized

Major Components of the ProgramMajor Components of the Program

Manufacturing

Performance

Testing

&Technical Doc

Relations AdvocacyMarketing


Concept

DesignCommunity CompanySales/

Robot HeadRobot Head--toto--Head CompetitionHead Competition

1 DesignNotebook

Process&

Technical Doc


Based primarily on the design and performanceof the robot.

Manufacturing

Performance

Testing

Relations AdvocacyMarketing

Contest Day!

AWARDS: 1st – 4th Place Head-to-Head Most Robust DesignMatch High Score Creative DesignHonorable Mention Most Photogenic


Notebook


Concept

Design 1 CommunityAwareness

1 MarketingPresentation

1 Team Spirit2 Sportsmanship

CommunityRelations

Sales/Marketing

CompanyAdvocacy

1 DesignNotebook

Process&

Technical Doc

BEST Award ComponentsBEST Award Components

Based on all aspects of the product development.Highest score considering all areas.

Manufacturing

Performance

Testing

Awareness2 Team Exhibit3 Website

Presentation2 Informal

Interviews

2 Sportsmanship3 Code of Conduct

15%

AWARDS: 1st – 3rd Place BEST Award Best Spirit BreakBest Team Exhibit SportsmanshipBest Dressed TeamworkBest Website Best Mentor

Notebook


BEST PhilosophyBEST Philosophy

• The students will get the most out of the process if they do the work

• Mentors and Teachers should help the students realize the students’ ideas

• The six-week development process is more important than the game-day competition

• BEST does not stand for “Beat Every Single Team


BEATEVERYSINGLETEAM

The School Provides…The School Provides…

• At least one school sponsor as a teacher-coach

• Classroom/shop facilities

• Transportation to the competition sites

• A single student team representing the school

• Outreach to potential team mentors (e.g., parents)• Outreach to potential team mentors (e.g., parents)

No Limit on Team size (determined by school)No Limit on Team size (determined by school)No Limit on Team size (determined by school)No Limit on Team size (determined by school)SubSubSubSub----Teams will be necessary.Teams will be necessary.Teams will be necessary.Teams will be necessary.


BEST Hub Provides…BEST Hub Provides…

• A single “Kit” for each school

• Control System (returnable at conclusion)

• Raw Materials (consumable items in specific quantity)

• Volunteer mentors from industry, as best we can• Volunteer mentors from industry, as best we can

• Volunteers to coordinate and run all events

• The game field for all events

• Awards for student and team recognition


BEST EventsBEST Events

Kickoff Day Early/Mid September

Test Drive End of 3rd Week (Georgetown)

Practice Day End of 5th Week

Machine Compliance Check End of 6th week (night before)

Local Competition End of 6th weekLocal Competition End of 6th week

Regional Championship Nov/Dec

Top finishers at local competition will participate in the Texas BEST Regional Championship.

The number of teams advancing will depend on the total number of teams participating.


What Happens At Kickoff?What Happens At Kickoff?

• Sign-in & Team Packet Pickup

• General Assembly• Welcome, School Roll Call

• Important Information (schedules, handouts, etc.)

• Fun Stuff (teaming games, drawings, contests, tours)

•• Team Mentor Assignments

• Breakout Training Sessions • Run in parallel

• Typically 1 hour+, hub dependent

• Meant for students, bring enough

• Consumable Kit Training• Control System Training• Programming• CAD Software Training• Practice Day Signup• BEST Award Review• Others?


What Happens At Kickoff?What Happens At Kickoff?

• Game Intro and Demonstration• Unveiling of the game field

• Walk through of the game rules

• Possible demonstration robot(s)

• DO NOT COPY THE DEMO BOT!!!

• Kit Distribution & Inventory• Kit Distribution & Inventory• Return Kit (aka $Control System$) – be prepared to sign for it

• Controller, joystick, motors, servos, batteries, chargers, etc.

• Consumable Kit – lots of pieces

• Plywood, PVC, metal, plastic, hardware, misc. items

• Inventory EVERYTHING AT KICKOFF! (checklists provided)


Who/What To Bring?Who/What To Bring?

• Enthusiasm & excitement (we give awards for it!)

• Plenty of students to cover the Breakout Sessions

• One large vehicle to receive the kit, and several able bodies to carry it (the parts…NOT the vehicle)bodies to carry it (the parts…NOT the vehicle)

• 2x4 foot plywood

• 5 foot PVC

• Be sure to inventory the kit before you leave the pick-up site….checklists will be provided


Capitol BESTCapitol BEST


Capitol BESTCapitol BEST


Student, Teacher, MentorStudent, Teacher, MentorRolesRoles

If you build it...they will fail!If you build it...they will fail!If you build it...they will fail!If you build it...they will fail!

Role of Teacher/Coach (1)Role of Teacher/Coach (1)

• Primarily team logistics

• Recruit students for the team

• get posters hung, flyers made

• Determine student eligibility for the program

• Have primary responsibility for the students• Have primary responsibility for the students

• Enforce school rules and code of conduct

• Recruit team mentors

• Schedule tool safety training


Role of Teacher/Coach (2)Role of Teacher/Coach (2)

• Coordinate with other disciplines

• art, language, shop teachers, etc.

• Manage access to school facilities and equipment

• Manage transportation to and from events

• bus or other transportation, drivers

• Manage parent permission for student participation• Manage parent permission for student participation

• travel, handling power equipment, photo release, etc.

• Build student leadership

• Support student organization


Building The BEST TeamBuilding The BEST Team

• Most successful teams are composed of mixed grade-levels and minimum 2 technical mentors

• Teams operate best from a single campus population

• Design and build facilities are necessary

• Safety Training is MANDATORY

• Students learn best when they are responsible for ALL• Students learn best when they are responsible for ALLactivities

• Mentors and Teachers are primarily for basic guidance and consultation


Tools You NeedTools You Need

Bare Minimum

� Basic hand tools

(screw drivers,

wrenches, pliers, etc.)

� Drill bits

� Drill/driver

� Hacksaw

� Saber saw

Basic

• Drill press

• Router

• Heat gun

• Dremel tool

• Hole saws

• Vise

Deluxe

• Chop saw

• Scroll saw

• Band saw

• Table saw

• Z-bender

• Oven/heating


� Saber saw

� Soldering iron

� Wire stripper

� C clamps

� Square

� Tape measure

� Work table

• Vise

• Scale with 25 lb

capacity

• Tap and die set

specifically,

#10-32 tap

¼ - 20 die

• Oven/heating

element

• Metal brake

• Sander

disk/drum/belt

Student EligibilityStudent Eligibility

• School determines student eligibility

• Teams are unlimited on size*

• Encourage teams with mixed grade-levels

• Encourage students with varying skill sets/experience• Engineering/ tech

• Science

• Math• Math

• Shop

• Computer

• Web

• Arts

• Writing/Language

• Spirit

• *There may be a maximum number of awards per team based upon available budget


The Mentor Experience (1)The Mentor Experience (1)Role of MentorsRole of Mentors

• Provide an understanding of engineering process

• Explain the importance of schedules and budgets

• Provide technical guidance

• Ensure students consider all phases &

deliverables

• Guide student brainstorming sessions

• Discuss methods for evaluating design concepts• Discuss methods for evaluating design concepts

• Describe prototyping methods

• Pose questions to force team to think through

ideas

• Encourage student participation


The Mentor Experience (2)The Mentor Experience (2)Best PracticesBest Practices

• Encourage proper organization early

• Promote teamwork/ teaming concepts

• Ensure the team

• Identifies requirements/ set goals up front

• Sets realistic schedules

• Has on-time deliverables• Has on-time deliverables

• Teach the Engineering Design Process

• Teach design margin (weight, size)

• Promote new design/invention…steer away reuse

• Follow the rules, be an example


The Mentor Experience (3)The Mentor Experience (3)How Much Time Will This Take?How Much Time Will This Take?

• Meeting times vary by team/school

• Most meet after school (at least)

• Commit to regular participation

• Put in the time that you can…anything helps

• You are providing guidance


Role of the StudentsRole of the Students

• Students Learn the Most By Doing It

• Guide the Students, Don’t Direct the Team

• Make Them Work, Don’t Give Them Answers

• Students are Responsible for

• What They Do• What They Do

• What They Don’t Do

• Students Determine Meeting Times

• Students organize/run meetings (with encouragement/guidance)


Engineering Tools Provided AnnuallyEngineering Tools Provided Annually

� CAD/CAM Software

� SolidWorks 3D CAD Software (150 days)

� Solidwize – SolidWorks video training courses (5 months)

� HSMWorks/HSMXpress tooling software (5 months)

� Graphical programming & simulation

� MathWorks SIMULINK (13 months)

� MathWorks 3D Virtual game world � MathWorks 3D Virtual game world

� C Programming Environments (3 seats, 4 months)

� Intelitek easyC

� Robomatter RobotC

� Computation systems

� MathWorks MATLAB (with SIMULINK above)

� Wolfram Research Mathematica for Students (12 months)

� Wolfram Alpha Pro


Documents

Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology