BEST Robotics competition full of bugs (Updated)

 

 

Several hundred students, parents and supporters gathered Saturday (Oct. 22) at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to robotically collect escaped bugs.

“Bugs” was the theme of the 2011 River Valley BEST Robotics Competition, held in the UAFS Stubblefield Center. The theme is based on the accidental release of genetically engineered insects into the environment.

The rules require teams to use their remote-controlled robots to collect at least one of each of the released bugs and return them to containment centers with food to keep them alive. The bug types are flies, cockroaches and termites. Scores are based on how many insects are recovered and the containment centers used.

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 UAFS has participated since 2003.

John Martini, a UAFS assistant professor and director of River Valley BEST robotics, said the newest competition increases the level of difficulty.

"This year the teams will have some new added features with programming their robot as well as some added hardware to help them better mount their motors and effectively use their other added electronic components for robot control and manipulation," Martini said in a UAFS statement.

Following are the area schools participating in the robotics competition.
Chaffin Junior High School, Fort Smith
Farmington High School, Farmington
Ramey Junior High School, Fayetteville
Gans High School, Gans, Okla.
Greenwood High School, Greenwood
Har-Ber High School EAST, Springdale
Kimmons and Darby Junior High Schools, Fort Smith
Mulberry/Pleasant View Schools
Southside High School, Fort Smith
Union Christian Academy, Fort Smith
Waldron Middle School, Waldron
Western Arkansas Technical Center, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

WINNERS
1st Place
Chaffin Jr. High School
2nd Place
Waldron Middle School
3rd Place
Gans Public School

Robot Competition
1st PlaceWaldron Middle School
2nd Place
Chaffin Jr. High School
3rd Place
Union Christian Academy
4th Place
Ramay Jr. High School

Founders Award
Greenwood High School

Most Robust
Union Christian Academy

Most Elegant
Chaffin Jr. High School

Most Photogenic
Waldron Middle School

T-Shirt Award
Western Arkansas Technical Center

Web Page Award
Waldron Middle School

BEST Project Notebook
Western Arkansas Technical Center

BEST Marketing Presentation
Chaffin Jr. High School

BEST Exhibit
Gans Public School

Best Spirit and Sportsmanship
Chaffin Jr. High School

Igus Top Gun Award
Chaffin Jr. High School