Heartland BEST
What is BEST Robotics?
Boosting Engineering, Science & Technology
- Founded in Texas in 1993 by two engineers
- Student teams are guided by professional mentors and school coaches.
- BEST has expanded to ~900 participating schools and over 18,000 student participants in over a dozen states.
- Students have six weeks to design, develop, build and test a robot that can outperform their competitors.
- Each team receives identical kits of parts including items such as plywood, metal and plastic sheet stock, nuts, bolts, screws, tapes, glue, pvc pipe and fittings, motors and servos.
- Winning teams from each Hub compete at the Regional competitions. (Texas BEST, South’s BEST, Denver BEST)
2026 Schedule of Events
Sept. 12 – Kickoff
Oct. 31 – Practice Day
Nov. 7 – GAME DAY!
Heartland BEST Committee: Dr. Adam Alber, Dr. Roxie James, Dr. Keenan Meeker, Dr. Jason Wickham, Dave Riegel, Sandy Riegel, Dena Riegel, Kalynn Samples, Evan Vaverka, Dr. Mary Riegel, Dr. Tim Maharry, Dr. Jenny Sattler
BEST National Registry
National BEST
Contacts:
Dr. Tim Maharry, Co-Director
Sponsorship and Finance, BEST Award
Dr. Mary Riegel, Co-Director
Game Committee Chair
Dr. Jenny Sattler, Co-Director
Kit Committee Chair