Westbrook Intermediate Ready to Compete in 2018 BEST Robotics Competition

HOUSTON, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Westbrook Intermediate Robotics Engineering Division or WIRED, participated in the Best Robotics USTEM kickoff at South Early College High School on September 22^nd where the Current Events game – an ocean pollution and recycling theme was unveiled. The challenge is to build a competition-ready robot to remove plastics and trash from the ocean, protecting marine wildlife – in only six weeks.

Our team, known as WIRED Pollution Solutions, Inc. is comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who work collaboratively to engineer and build the robot and its subsystems, document the process in an engineering notebook, create a marketing presentation and exhibit booth. WIRED students design and build their robot from scratch, using only the consumable materials given to them at the kick-off.

As part of the BEST Robotics competition, we present ourselves as a professional company, pitching our robot to a committee of investors with a comprehensive marketing presentation. Our booth exhibit is on display to share more about our robot, our team and community outreach events including a school recycling drive and awareness campaign. The team also scheduled to participate in a planned beach cleanup event in Galveston, Texas in November.

Last year, Westbrook Intermediate won the 1st place BEST award at the Houston USTEM competition based on our teamwork, sportsmanship, creativity, positive attitude/enthusiasm, school/community involvement and outreach, and application of the engineering design process as evidenced in the engineering notebook.

Mentors play a valuable role in WIRED's success. They share their experience in the fields of engineering, robotics, and marketing. When asked about what students get from WIRED, Mrs. Pfeifer replied, "Our students learn basic engineering principles, math, and problem-solving skills. In the workshop, these 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders learn to use tools to fabricate a working robot using plywood, PVC, string, and motors. Thanks to BEST Robotics, I hope that they continue their interest in a STEM field in high school, college and beyond."

"Mentors are here to guide the students and keep them safe in the workshop. It is their focus, dedication and hard work that makes us successful. Thanks to BEST Robotics, I also hope these students stay inspired to get a job in the STEM field," said Mr. Les Quiocho, an Engineer from NASA and longtime mentor.

Located in the Bay Area of Houston, Westbrook Intermediate School is home to the WAVE GT magnet in the Clear Creek Independent School District. Sponsored by the BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) organization, the competition is dedicated to educating future engineers, scientists, and technical professionals through participation in an annual robotics competition. BEST is celebrating their 25^th anniversary this year with a social media campaign - #Thanks2BESTRobotics – to celebrate the success of BEST and its impact on alumni students.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ccisd-wired.com or find and like us on, Instragram (WIREDROBOTICS), YouTube (WIREDROBOTICS) and Twitter (@404Wired).

SOURCE Westbrook Intermediate School