About OKBest

MISSION
The mission of OKBEST is to encourage junior high students and high school students to select careers in science and engineering through the use of hands-on “athletic” style robotics competition.

THE BEST CONCEPT
The BEST program is designed to teach teamwork, problem solving, project management and pride in task completion. This is accomplished through the partnerships of participating schools with corporate sponsors. Youth teams are supported by mentors who serve as role models for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

THE BEST GOALS
The goal of BEST is to demonstrate the excitement of advanced technical careers to young people who are nearing decisions on college plans. Team membership is open to all interested students and participation is without fee to the students or the schools.

HISTORY
Seven years ago Dwain Chaffin, Vice President of Texas Instruments, and also Chair of OC’s Engineering Advisory Council presented the idea of forming OKBEST to the Engineering Department at Oklahoma Christian University (OC). Lyle Harms continued with the idea, formed a minimal staff and the first OKBEST was born in 1998. Jim Cutbirth (a professor of Mechanical Engineering at OC) chaired the first year. The contest was staffed by volunteers from OC and local industries. A total of 8 teams competed in this inaugural contest.

OKBEST has continued to grow over the years. In 1999 there were too many teams to continue competing in OC’s University Center and the move was made to OC’s gym. Kickoff was held that year in OC’s Conservatory.

In 2001, Kevin Lewelling assumed the chair position and continued through 2002. 2002 saw the competition increase to 32 teams. There were so many teams wanting to enter last year that new hubs were established at Wichita State, Northwestern and the University of Tulsa. The highlight of kickoff in 2002 was special guest speaker, Jack Kilby, 2000 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics. He gave a brief overview of his distinguished career, took questions, and conducted a book signing.

Mall Day, which is held a few weeks before Competition Day in October, allows the teams have to opportunity to demonstrate their robots to the surrounding community. This is a great time for the teams to test their robot’s performance.

The top four teams from the OKBEST competition are qualified to advance to the Texas BEST Championship in November at Texas A&M University. OKBEST helps the teams with their expenses to Texas BEST.

OKBEST is funded from corporate sponsors such as Lucent, ConocoPhillips, and JTS Engineering. Many civic workers from organizations like Tinker, FAA, ConocoPhillips, JTS Engineering, ASME and Oklahoma Christian University faculty and staff help to make OKBEST a success.

TIME FRAME
The game is limited to a six-week period starting sometime near the first of September. This time frame is to simulate a product time-to-market constraint.

RESOURCES
At Kickoff each team receives an identical tool box of parts for building their robot. The machine can be built only with parts included in this kit. This is to simulate a product being built in the real world within a budget.

SPECIFICATIONS
Each team receives an identical game task description at Kickoff. The robots must meet size and weight requirements and complete the game task. This simulates a customer’s requirements and specifications for a new product.

TEAMS
Each competing school selects its own team members. The design and building of the robot is the primary decision of the students. Industry and academic coaches are available as mentors for the students to encourage and guide them in the process of constructing their robot. The schools provide at least one teacher-coach, administrative support, facility access after school hours, and transportation to the competition site.