DCBEST (Denton County Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) is a non-profit all volunteer-based organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sport like science and engineering based robotics competition.

DCBEST was established in 1997 as the eighth hub in what is currently the 38-hub, 23-state BEST Robotics Inc. non-profit organization established in 1993. BEST Robotics has had a steady growth from the initial hub with 14 teams and 221 students started under the sponsorship of Texas Instruments in North Texas to the current 38 hubs, 700 plus teams and over 14,000 students participating in 2010.

The BEST Robotics competition is not just about robots. Student-teams are required to turn in a notebook with descriptions, drawings and sketches detailing the engineering/problem-solving process they used to solve the challenge. Teams also participate in oral presentations about the project and build a display booth to show their project and process to other teams, parents, and visitors on game/competition day. Judging for the BEST award includes the presentations, notebooks, displays, spirit/sportsmanship, and the robot observed by the game day judges.

Thirteen (14) middle and high schools with 250 students participated in the 2010 DCBEST competition. Fifty (50) volunteers from UNT and the community worked many months in advance to provide a successful event.

DCBEST was initially funded and sponsored through the Boeing Corporation (Corinth, Texas). Since 2006 a small dedicated group of retired teachers, current teachers and UNT staff members have raised the funds needed to continue the competition. The generous contributions of sponsors and the donation of the use of the UNT Coliseum enabled DCBEST to hold the competition at UNT.

DCBEST was initially funded and sponsored through the Boeing Corporation (Corinth, Texas). Since 2006 a small dedicated group of retired teachers, current teachers and UNT staff members have raised the funds needed to continue the competition. The generous contributions of sponsors and the donation of the use of the UNT Coliseum enabled DCBEST to hold the competition at UNT.

DCBEST funds are used to pay for the BEST Robotics franchise fee, expendable game kits, replacement of defective returnable game kit parts, awards, and volunteer support. Schools are provided all needed parts to build the robot at no cost .The total cost for the 2010 competition was $12,000.00.

We are soliciting grants and gifts from Denton County corporations, businesses and individuals for the 2012 competition. Your support will help DCBEST provide a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educational experience for Denton and Denton County students.