From competitions to careers, BEST Robotics provides STEM Education for Workforce Development. We're a national 501 (c)(3), with a mission to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and mathematics through after-school programming, curriculum, and a robotics competition. BEST has always been free to participating schools, with the cost of robot kits, game fields, and production of the competition supported through fundraising by hub volunteers. Competition theme and game design, hub development, marketing and communications, brand compliance and data collection and analysis are managed by the national organization. Collaboration is an integral part of BEST Robotics and the key to providing students with access to STEM education and a path to pursue STEM careers. BEST Robotics engages approximately 25,000 middle and high school students through 44 hubs in 17 states, all organized and run by volunteers in accordance with the BEST license agreement. In partnerships with higher learning institutions and as individual nonprofits, BEST Robotics’ hubs deliver the program model and competitions locally through the collective efforts of teachers, universities, industry mentors, and volunteers. With a strategic plan for growth and a commitment to provide access at no cost to students and schools, BEST Robotics is implementing a two-year national double-digit expansion plan targeted to increase student participation among girls, minorities, and low-income rural and urban communities. BEST Robotics was founded in 1993 by Ted Mahler and Steve Marum, both engineers at Texas Instruments at the time. The program saw early success and grew organically throughout Texas, quickly spreading to neighboring states and beyond. In 1997, BEST Robotics, Inc. established its nonprofit status and continued to grow. Today, the BEST Robotics national office is based virtually with staff and volunteer leadership working from locations across the country.