We are an all volunteer organization which means that we are regularly in need of volunteers not only to help with the competition and other specific events, but also to help with various organizational functions throughout the year including fundraising, recruiting teams, recruiting mentors, preparation of the kit and game materials.

Competition functions that utilize volunteers include:

• setup and teardown of the field, pits, etc.
• staging teams for matches
• monitoring the pits for problems
• kit support
• scorekeeping
• announcing
• clock operation
• game referees
• game reset support
• notebook judges
• presentation judges
• special award judges

To register as a volunteer, please use the BEST Registry and let us know how you'd like to help.

You can also have a look at the Volunteer Questions page for more information. 

As an all-volunteer organization, the San Antonio BEST program depends on corporate sponsorship. Many thanks to this year's sponsors for helping us make a positive difference in the lives of San Antonio youth! If you wish to make a donation, just This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll take care of you. SA-BEST is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible. More information can be found in the sponsors section of the sponsor questions page. 

2021 Sponsors

Scholarship Donors*

• Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association 
• St. Mary's University

* Scholarships are managed by the respective organizations.

National BEST Sponsors

• igus Inc.
• The MathWorks
• SolidWorks
• VEX Robotics
• AutoDesk

Diamond Sponsor ($10,000 to $14,999)

• Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association
• Valero Energy Foundation

Gold Sponsors ($2,500 to $4,999)

• Southwest Research Institute

Silver Sponsors ($1,000 to $2,499)

• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Southwest Texas Section
• Cutshall Consulting, LLC
• Society of American Military Engineers, San Antonio Branch

Bronze Sponsors ($500 to $999)

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Central Texas Section

BEST Friends (All Other Donations)

• C.H. Guenther & Son
• Creative Trophies
• Tom and Susanne O'Brien

San Antonio BEST Team Policy

The ultimate decision regarding team participation will reside with the SA BEST Board of Directors.

Team sign-up policy:

1. Teams in "good-standing" that participated in the competition during the previous year will have a slot reserved until May 1. "Good-standing" is determined primarily by returning the return-kit in good condition by the agreed-upon date and team behavior during the BEST events.  (Teams that received a kit but did not complete a robot and participate on game day are not considered to be in good-standing with SA BEST.)
2. After May 1, sign-up is on a first-come basis.
3. All teams must provide proper and complete contact information at the BEST Registry site to participate.  Teams must provide a valid e-mail address. New teams must provide evidence that the school supports the participation. An e-mail to the SABEST contact from a school administrator is fine.
4. Excess teams (beyond the planned team count) will be placed on a waiting list. Teams from the waiting list will be used in the event that an accepted team fails to attend kick-off.
5. All teams must be affiliated with a school. A student attending a school with a BEST team must participate on that school's team.
6. Home school teams are allowed, but must be able to demonstrate a program recognized by the state of Texas. Multiple home school teams in the same region/city will be considered on a case-by-case basis; teams must be able to demonstrate the need for more than one team in any specific area.
7. Any team should be prepared to demonstrate:

• The number of adults (mentors) and students anticipated.
• Availability of a shop and/or other resources needed for carrying out the project.
• An understanding of the BEST approach.

Region:

The SA BEST home region includes Bexar County and the counties immediately surrounding Bexar County: Bandera, Medina, Atascosa, Wilson, Guadalupe, Comal, and Kendall Counties.  Visiting teams from outside these counties are welcome to participate with the SA BEST when:

1. There is space available at SA BEST.
2. There is not another BEST hub servicing the team's location, or the appropriate hub does not have sufficient space.
3. SA BEST is the nearest or most convenient hub to the team location.