‘Total Recall’ focus of regional student robotics contest

story submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Sixteen teams will compete Oct. 16 in the 2010 River Valley BEST Robotics Competition, slated for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Stubblefield Center at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

This year’s competition officially began with a kick-off Sept. 4, with teams now scheduled to give the community a teaser preview during Mall Day on Oct. 2 at Central Mall.

The UAFS competition is one of several around the nation under the BEST heading, which stands for Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology. The competition started in 1994, and UA Fort Smith has participated since 2003.

John Martini of Fort Smith said the teams are very challenged and excited about this year’s competition, titled "Total Recall."

"For the first time, we presented the teams a computer animation of the actual game with virtual robots and people interacting with the field," said Martini, who is an assistant professor of electronics technology and director of River Valley BEST, the local "hub," and Frontier Trails BEST, the regional competition.

"After covering the rules and scoring opportunities, all of the students and their coaches and mentors were asking questions, taking measurements of the field and beginning their brainstorming process for the best strategy in tackling this year’s task," said Martini.

Once the consumable kits to build the robot had been distributed, Martini said UAFS had a packed room for a two-hour mini workshop on the new electronics software that comes in each team’s kit.

Martini said the game this year is based on Six Sigma. The teams are rewarded with a multiplier of their score if they successfully eliminate defects in their production process.

Participating teams from Fort Smith include Chaffin Junior High, Darby/Kimmons Junior High, Northside High School, Southside High School, Union Christian Academy and the Western Arkansas Technical Center at UA Fort Smith.

Other Arkansas schools include Alma High School, Cedarville High School, Farmington High School, Mountainburg High School and Mulberry/Pleasant View High School. Participating from Oklahoma are Gans High School, Haskell High School, Howe Public Schools and Salina High School. Metro Homeschool of Blue Springs, Mo., is also in the competition.

The opening ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Oct. 16, with various levels of competition beginning at 8:15 a.m. An awards ceremony is planned for 4 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Winners in this competition advance to the Frontier Trails BEST Competition, slated for Dec. 10-11 at UA Fort Smith and downtown at the Fort Smith Convention Center.