About Sonlight Robotics and BEST

About Sonlight Robotics

The Sonlight Robotics Club is all about encouraging engineering and creativity in the young minds of this generation. We are also a Christian organization that promotes Christianity and good morals.

We have been competitive participants in the BEST Robotics competitions for four years, each time giving it our all and persevering to the end.

In the past years, Sonlight Robotics has grown a lot, transforming from just another contestant into a full-fledged team. We are always looking for new ways to innovate our robots, as evident with us being the first team to be using a DSP chip for our robot.

Our DSP chip is a handy little device that not only makes our robot easier to control and have faster reaction time to our commands, but also lets us greatly reduce the amount of wires necessary in our robot, so we have more room to keep it neat and less complicated. The DSP chip just one of the ways where we have strived for innovation and progression, and we will continue to do this in future competitions; as our slogan says: Engineering the Next Frontier!

What Is BEST?

BEST Inc. is a Robotics organization free of charge available to all public, private and homeshooling organizations. Students ranging from the 6-12 grades may enter, and experience and learn about robotics.

BEST Facts

BEST Robotics Inc. (BRI) is a non-profit, volunteer organization based in Dallas, TX. Started in 1993 with 14 competing schools and 221 students, today BEST has over 700 middle and high schools and over 8,000 students participating each fall. There is no fee for schools to compete in BEST.

BEST features two parallel competitions. There is a robotics game, which is based upon an annual theme with four teams competing at once in a series of three-minute, round-robin matches. There is also a BEST Award, which is presented to the team that best embodies the concept of Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology. Elements include a project summary notebook, oral presentation, table display, and spirit and sportsmanship.

Each school is provided kits of equipment and parts, a set of game rules, and given six weeks to design, build, and test a small Radio/Controlled (R/C) robot that outperforms other robots. Winning teams from local competition sites (called “hubs”) advance to regional championship sites (“regionals”). Engineers and other technical professionals from local industries serve as team mentors who advise and guide students through the design and construction of their machines.

Anyone—colleges/universities, corporations, individuals—can start a new hub serving a minimum of eight teams. The average first-year cost for running a 24-team hub is approximately $28,000. Local hubs rely on financial support from corporations and/or colleges/universities in order to allow schools to participate at no cost.

Organizational Goals

Promote the growth of hubs across the U.S., thus maximizing the “pipeline” of future engineers, scientists, and technical professionals.

Increase participation of women and minority students in rural and inner city schools.

Enlist more colleges/universities and corporations to become collaborative educational partners with BEST.

Attributes of the Competition

Enhances teaching/teacher effectiveness

Reinforces classroom learning

Creates real-world academic challenge

Increases students’ interest in and understanding of engineering and science

Exposes students to new career opportunities

Provides competition/fun

Promotes school spirit and sense of community Benefits to Students

Increases understanding of technical concepts and scientific principlesProvides real-world engineering experience with limited resources

Reinforces project management concepts with constrained time period

Encourages abstract thought, self-directed learning, and problem solving

Promotes team building, good sportsmanship, leadership, and ethical conduct

Produces pride in success