Historic strides are being made in the world of education and innovation as Alabama A&M University has been selected as the host for the South’s BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) Championship on Dec. 13-14, 2024. This landmark event marks the first time a Historically Black College or University will serve as the venue for the competition.

The South’s BEST Robotics program aims to engage middle and high school students through hands-on projects that ignite interest in STEM fields. During the championship, students showcase their skills in designing, building, and programming robots, all while working collaboratively to solve complex problems. 

More than 850 schools across 18 states and more than 18,000 students nationally participate in the BEST Robotics initiative. AAMU anticipates welcoming over 1,200 students, educators, and families from various Southern states to its Agribition Center that weekend.

“The College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences is always happy to support programs that provide hands-on, out-of-school experiences for pre-college students,” said Dr. Peter Eley, dean of the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences. “The more opportunities students get to exercise their brilliance in various forms, the more confidence and strength they gain in the process. Pre-service students gain many things from these experiences, such as teamwork, computer programming, and building resiliency as part of their overall skill set.”

Participants in the BEST Robotics competition have spent the fall months preparing within their local BEST Hubs, utilizing the Engineering Design Process to analyze challenges and devise engineering solutions. Teams that excel in their local competitions will earn the chance to compete at AAMU in December, a unique opportunity that aims to inspire a new generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.