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. 

Our 31 teams should be well into their design/strategy process by now (since kickoff was September 11).  Please seek help early if you are struggling.  You can contact the SA BEST leadership for suggestions.

We're looking for volunteers to help act as judges or referees for the following events (that will all be executed online via Google Meet).

  • Oct 12 and 13 (7 pm -9 pm) Critical Design Review - Judges interact with teams on their designs 
  • Oct 27 to Nov 6, review and score engineering notebooks 
  • Nov 2 and 3 (7 pm -9 pm) Marketing Presentations - Judges evaluate team marketing presentations
  • Nov 6 - Team Exhibit Interviews - Judges conduct 5 minute interviews with teams, and judge virtual exhibits
  • Nov 6 (9am - 4pm) - Team Time Trials - Referees monitor teams executing game trials 

If you are interested in helping, please create an account the BEST Registry.  Once logged into that account, look for volunteer opportunities for San Antonio BEST and sign up for one or more positions.  

Here are the results from the competition that just finished over the weekend.

 San Antonio BEST Award Results:

  1. United Engineering and Technology Magnet*
  2. Spring Branch Middle School*
  3. J B Alexander High School*
  4. Uvalde High School*
  5. Lackland ISD*
  6. Smithson Valley High School*
  7. Hill Country College Preparatory High School*
  8. Smithson Valley Middle School

Competition Results:

  1. United Engineering and Technology Magnet*
  2. William Howard Taft High School*
  3. Spring Branch Middle School*
  4. Holy Cross of San Antonio
  5. Canyon Lake High School*
  6. Hill Country College Preparatory High School*
  7. Pieper High School*
  8. Earl Warren High School*

* schools advancing to Texas BEST/UIL Competition

Other Awards:

  • Founders Award - 
    1. Brennan High School
    2. United South High School
  • Good Lookin' John Wigand Most Photogenic - Lackland ISD
  • SAME Award - Smithson Valley Middle School
  • Critical Design Review - Lackland ISD

The detailed 2021 Game Results and 2021 BEST Award Results are available at the links.

Registration for the 2022 SA BEST season has been open for several months and we have 33 teams occupying the 36 team slots that are planned for this year. Teams can register by going to registry.bestrobotics.org and looking on the events page for SA BEST.

We plan to revert back to our typical competition format with all teams playing the game together at St Mary's University in the main gym.  Competition dates are:

  • Kickoff: August 27 (Saturday)
  • Demo Day: October 16 (Sunday)
  • Game Day: October 23 (Sunday)

We're currently confirming new and previously participating teams (in good standing). Please check with your teacher to make sure that your team is signed up!

 

We are currently planning for 32 teams to participate in the 2021 San Antonio BEST contest.  Teams that have participated previously and have returned their return-parts (or have SA BEST permission to use the parts), will have a slot reserved until May 1.  After May 1st, the remaining slots will be filled on a first-come first served basis. Please use the BEST registration system to register your school's team.  Even after we fill our slots, we will add teams on a waiting list .  Please review our Team Policy before signing up.

You must provide a valid e-mail address that we can use to confirm your intention to compete.  This web site and e-mail will be primary methods of providing you with updated information on the contest dates/times, locations, etc. We are always happy to speak with you by phone to answer individual questions and help you to solve problems, but typically teachers are difficult to reach by phone during the work-day. So, e-mail will be used extensively to distribute the bulk information.

Team Schedule

During 6-8 week period between kickoff and competition in the Fall teams can expect to follow a schedule similar to the following:

Week Activity Days/Hours per Week
0 Organize your team (before kickoff!) 1 day, 2 hrs
1 Kickoff meeting/brainstorming/strategy 3 days, 3 hrs/day
2 Brainstorming/prototyping/platform build 3 days, 3 hrs/day
3 Prototyping/start machine build/practice 4-5 days, 3-4 hrs/day
4 Machine build/practice 4-5 days, 3-4 hrs/day
5 Machine build/practice/demo day 4-5 days, 4-6 hrs/day
6 Refinement/driving practice 4-5 days, 4-6 hrs/day
End of week 6 Local Hub competition Friday night, Saturday
7-8 Repairs, driving practice 3 days, 2 hrs/day
End of week 8 BEST Championship Friday - Saturday

Questions?

Have a look at the answers to some common team questions.

Have a look at the explanation of state level activities to understand possible methods of team advancement