We are introducing our plans to bring the new 2020 Outbreak game in an
ONLINE
competition to schools this fall. The Outbreak game is replacing the previously planned Incision Decision game.
In the previous newsletter, we asked for your feedback on 2 draft BEST fall season options. Our thanks to all those who provided survey responses to our Planning Survey. In addition to your survey suggestions and concerns, we have evaluated the updated BEST Robotics competition options, evolving school fall plans, and our available volunteer resources, and we decided to offer the
Outbreak Online Competition
this fall.
Outbreak Online 9-Week Competition - 19 September - 22 November 2020
- No physical contact is required by the teams.
- No robot returnable and consumable kits are to be provided as no physical robot is built.
- Competition Start is 19 September 2020 - A virtual Kickoff event to describe the Outbreak game and additional details of the components of the competition will occur
- Competition End is 22 November 2020 - We have extended the end the competition to provide more schedule flexibility for the teams and permit scheduling of online judging.
- More details to come.
The participating teams will:
- Design a robot to play the Outbreak game based on provided game rules. Their actions end with the robot design step with a design that may be reflected in the following type: a computer simulation, drawing prototype, or cardboard mock up. RobotC and easyC software licenses will not be used in this competition as there is no physical robot.
- Document their design in a Critical Design Review presentation.
- Document their engineering design process and other standard Engineering Notebook sections in their Engineering Notebook.
- Participate in the Programming Challenge Time Trials (Driver Controlled + Autonomous) with a simplified simulated robot programmed with Simulink with the Robotics Playground to score Outbreak game points on a provided virtual game field. The following 10-minute video link provides a high level overview of what to expect. https://www.mathworks.com/videos/matlab-and-simulink-pass-competitions-hub-getting-started-with-robotics-playground-virtual-worlds-1533569380647.html. As described below, MathWorks is providing five 45 minute training sessions with links available after the scheduled training. We highly recommend this training.
- Participate in optional online activities which are identified in the table below. We encourage all interested teams to consider competing in the Marketing Presentation and Virtual Exhibit / Interviews activities. We are evaluating which of the other optional components we will include in our competition. More information to be provided no later than Kickoff on required and optional activities.
Computer hardware prerequisites are described in the table below.
- We have a limited number of Windows laptops to loan out if your team does not have access to a Windows, Mac or UNIX computer to run MathWorks for the Programming Competition. Please email Carolyn Bauer at carolyn.bauer@bestinc.org if it might be helpful to have a loaned computer.
- Possible other resources include: Chrome Remote Desktop use (perhaps to a loaned Windows laptop) to support those teams using Chromebooks and cloud workspaces for a fee such as Amazon Workspaces for Education. As we learn more about these resources, we will share them with you and appreciate you sharing any resources you find.
QUESTIONS/FEEDBACK?
: Please reply if you have any questions or need additional information. If you have registered and decide your school is NOT able to compete this fall, please reply to this email.
