1.      BEST awards:   1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place awards

These awards are given to teams who receive the most points in the Notebook, Oral Presentation, and Table Display Interviews.

2.      Robotic Tournament:  1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, & 4^th place awards 

            These awards are given to the team who acquires the most game points in the final round.

3.      Founder’s Award for Creative Design:  Stand alone award

This awarded is given to the team that makes best use of the engineering process in consideration of offensive and defensive capabilities in machine design, and was established to recognize BEST founders Steve Marum and Ted Mahler.  Points are awarded for the uniqueness of the design, effective offensive strategies, effective defensive strategies, and obvious use of the engineering design process.

4.       Most Robust Machine Award:  Stand alone award

This award goes to the team whose machine requires the least amount of maintenance during and between matches.  It is generally the sturdiest machine in the competition.  Points are awarded based on the least amount of breakdowns during game, least amount of repairs needed during competition, robot sturdiness, and the robot’s ability to extract itself from most situations during the game.

5.      Most Elegant Machine Award:  Stand alone award

This award is given to the machine that aesthetically looks the best.  Points are awarded for neatness/orderly, colors and design, identified with team number and/or team name, and overall attractiveness.

6.      Best Oral Presentation Award:  Stand alone and part of BEST awards

This award will be given to the team who obtains the most points during their oral presentation.  Points will be awarded based on overall information, the design and manufacturing process, use of technology, marketing strategies, team demographics and operations, and the overall quality of the presentation. 

7.      Best Project Notebook Award:  Stand alone, part of BEST award and required to compete in Tournament

The Best Project Notebook Award will be given to the team who documents the process in the designing, creation and testing of their robot.  Points will be awarded based on the following criteria:  implementation of the engineering design process, a research paper, brainstorming approaches, analytical evaluation of design alternatives, offensive and defensive evaluations, design creativity, and support documentation.  Points will also be awarded based upon the overall organization and appearance of the notebook as well as adherence to specifications and quality of the contents. 

8.      Best Table Display Interview Award:  Stand alone and part of BEST Award

The purpose of this award is to communicate the team’s promotion of BEST, to foster BEST spirit and to show sportsmanship.  Points will be awarded based on proof of recruitment, sharing/mentoring other schools, presentations of robot to other schools or community groups, proof of publicity, fund raising activities, use of technology, creativity in design and presentation of the exhibit, compliance with specifications, and a discretionary component which consists of technology, financial and age constraints.  Additional points are given for evidences of enthusiasm, recruitment efforts, and proof that the students were the primary designers of the robot.

9.      Spirit and Sportsmanship Award:  Stand alone and part of BEST Award

The purpose of this award is to promote team spirit and sportsmanship during the competition.  Spirit points will be awarded to teams that exhibit vigor and enthusiasm throughout the tournament.  Points will also be awarded for the use of signs, posters, props, costumes, t-shirts, cheerleaders, mascots, bands, etc.  Sportsmanship points are awarded to the teams who exhibit an outward display of sportsmanship (helping other teams in need), conduct (displaying an attitude befitting participation in sports – win or lose), and proof of evidence that the pit crew is primarily students.

10.  Best Web Page Design Award:  Stand alone award

This award will be given to the top team who demonstrates their technology skills by designing a professional and informative web page that displays the teams use of technology and creativity.  Points will be awarded based on web page and hyperlink function, basic school information, pictures about design stages, use of graphics and multimedia, and the accessibility of information.

11.  Best T-Shirt Design Award:  Stand alone award

The best T-Shirt Award will be given to the team who shows the best creative, original, and game-specific t-shirt design.  Points will be awarded based on creative use of the game theme, colors usage, design, and overall attractiveness.

12.  Best New Team Award:  Stand alone award

This award will be given to a new team that has obtained the majority of points in both the BEST and Tournament category.