UIL Competition
Frequently Asked Questions
UIL/BEST PILOT OVERVIEW
What will the pilot consist of?
The 2016 pilot will include a substantial educational component with informational and instructional workshops to be scheduled throughout the year. Workshop opportunities will be posted on the UIL. The 2016 program will also include a championship as described in the State Championship section below.
Who hosts the UIL State Championship?
BEST of Texas Robotics, a non profit 501(c)(3) organization, hosts the UIL State Championship -- BEST Robotics Division under contract with UIL.
Which schools are able to participate in the pilot?
Any UIL member high school may participate in the robotics pilot in accordance with the BEST/UIL guidelines. Participating students must be enrolled at a UIL member school and must meet the UIL Eligibility Requirements. Texas state law governs student eligibility in all school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
How does a school participate?
Interested schools may subscribe to future BEST/UIL notifications by filling out an online form. These schools will receive further information on how to participate in workshops, how to register as a participating team, and other important information regarding the championship as it becomes available. A team must participate in a 2016 BEST hub competition season to qualify for participation in the UIL State Championship – BEST Division.
Who is eligible for participation in the UIL Robotics State Championships?
Participation in the UIL Robotics State Championship is open to teams composed of students from UIL member schools.
How will the UIL/BEST pilot affect the BEST regular season?
The UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Division will be held at the conclusion of the BEST season, allowing schools and students to participate in both.
How long will the pilot last?
The UIL/BEST pilot will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis. Feedback from partner organizations, school leaders, teachers and students will be valuable in determining if the pilot moves forward as a permanent UIL program.
What are the benefits of robotics being a UIL event?
The BEST partnership with UIL will make robotics programs accessible to an exponentially larger number of students across Texas. The UIL is the largest inter-school organization of its kind (in the world) with broad access into Texas schools.
Are there limitations on practice time?
Under Texas state law, students are limited to a maximum of eight hours of practice and/or rehearsal outside the school day per school week, excluding weekends and holidays for each extracurricular activity. (A school week is defined as Monday through the end of the regular school day on Friday.) Public school-based robotics teams are already subject to this rule regardless of whether they participate in the UIL State Championship.
Will BEST teams be required to participate in the UIL/BEST pilot?
No. Participation in any UIL activity is optional. Participation in the UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Division is an addition to the traditional BEST competition season.
Is Texas the first state to establish state-wide robotics programs in this way?
Texas is now the fourth state in the country to implement a statewide robotics program through its state activities association. Arizona, Connecticut, and Minnesota are the other state activity associations with a statewide robotics program.
What happens to BEST hubs now that there is a UIL/BEST partnership?
BEST hubs will continue to host BEST teams. UIL applies ONLY to UIL member teams in Texas. Texas-based BEST hubs will host UIL teams just as they host non-UIL teams. Remember, the UIL member school and/or school district decides to participate (or not) in any UIL Robotics events. If the school or school district does not want to participate in UIL robotics, they can participate in BEST just as they always have.
What if my team is not based in a UIL-member school?
Any BEST team may compete at a BEST hub. Qualifying BEST teams advance to compete in a BEST regional championship. This aspect of BEST does not change regardless of the partnership between BEST and UIL. Qualifying BEST UIL teams may also advance to compete in the UIL State Championship – BEST Division.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
When and where will the 2016 UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Robotics Division take place?
For the 2016 pilot, the BEST Robotics Division championship will occur in conjunction with the Texas BEST Robotics Regional Championship event in the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. Competition date is December 8-10, 2016.
How will teams qualify for the UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Robotics Division?
Team participation in the traditional BEST season will be used to determine team qualification for the UIL State Championship. UIL teams must compete in the BEST Award portion of the BEST competition. Top teams will advance to the championship.
Which teams (and how many) are eligible to compete in the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division?
All UIL member schools are eligible to participate in the UIL robotics pilot and those who qualify may compete in the UIL State Championship – BEST Division event. For the 2016 pilot year, at least 1/3 of the UIL teams will advance to the State Championship. To be eligible:
What awards are teams competing for if they enter UIL Robotics?
UIL will award a State Champion and Runner-Up in robotics in each of two groups. Group 1 applies to schools in conferences 1A - 4A. Group 2 applies to schools in conferences 5A-6A.
How much will the UIL State Championship registration cost?
UIL Robotics registration for BEST Robotics Division will be $525. This fee is required and does not guarantee the team will advance to the State Championship. Teams that do advance will not pay any further fees.
Will the Texas BEST Regional Championship become the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division now that BEST and UIL are partners?
The Texas BEST Regional Championship hosts teams from across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The Texas BEST Regional Championship will not become the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division, although the events may occur concurrently. Since UIL applies only to member schools in Texas, teams residing in New Mexico or Arizona cannot participate in the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division just as non-UIL member teams may not participate. A UIL objective is to award a state championship as the culmination of the robotics season. The UIL state championship will occur soon after the BEST robotics season concludes.
Can a team attend the UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Robotics Division event if they do not go to the Texas BEST Regional Championship?
Yes. The UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division is organized separately from the Texas BEST Robotics Regional Championship. Teams who meet UIL eligibility requirements and qualify for the UIL State Championship - BEST Division can compete.
COSTS & FUNDING
How much does it cost to start a BEST Robotics team?
BEST Robotics provides robotics kits to participating teams for free after they register for the program. The robotics kits include returnable and non-returnable parts and materials.
Currently, BEST Robotics sponsors or grants all team registration fees for its existing competition. Teams competing in the UIL extension to BEST Robotics will pay a registration fee of $525.
Can students raise funds to cover participation in UIL robotics?
Teams can fund raise and receive corporate sponsorships. The school district administration will set the policy and guidelines for any UIL team so the team may solicit and accept monetary and in-kind donations. The Athletic Amateur Rule restricts UIL athletes but does not apply to academic programs.
ORGANIZING A TEAM
How many teams can a school have?
BEST policy allows a single team from each school to participate. BEST does not limit the number of students per team.
How do you register a team for the UIL BEST pilot program?
Information on how to register a team for BEST Robotics and for UIL Robotics -- BEST Robotics Division may be found here.
BEST will use teams’ interest to estimate the final number of participating teams, to understand where those teams are located (the city or school district), and to contact the primary school teacher/coach with information updates as those occur. Note that this indication of interest does NOT mean the team must participate in the UIL pilot program in 2016.
How do teachers get involved?
Many resources exist within the BEST organization and communities to educate and support teachers who are considering or would like to start robotics teams within their schools. BEST is a project-based learning program which allows teachers from various backgrounds such as theater, arts, humanities, English, and debate, as well as STEM, to contribute to the overall success of a team.
Who can coach and/or mentor UIL academic teams?
UIL does not place any restrictions on volunteer coaches and mentors in UIL academic programs. UIL rules that require full-time district employees to serve as coaches or mentors apply only to athletic events.
If a district/school chooses to participate in the pilot, does a coach or mentor have to be a full-time school district employee?
This will be determined by local school district policy. UIL rules do not require the coach or mentor of a robotics team be an employee of the school although the UIL certainly encourages school districts to use their employees as coaches and mentors. BEST encourages schools to enlist several teachers of various backgrounds and skill bases, but to recruit and enlist mentors from local industries.
What will the pilot consist of?
The 2016 pilot will include a substantial educational component with informational and instructional workshops to be scheduled throughout the year. Workshop opportunities will be posted on the UIL. The 2016 program will also include a championship as described in the State Championship section below.
Who hosts the UIL State Championship?
BEST of Texas Robotics, a non profit 501(c)(3) organization, hosts the UIL State Championship -- BEST Robotics Division under contract with UIL.
Which schools are able to participate in the pilot?
Any UIL member high school may participate in the robotics pilot in accordance with the BEST/UIL guidelines. Participating students must be enrolled at a UIL member school and must meet the UIL Eligibility Requirements. Texas state law governs student eligibility in all school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
How does a school participate?
Interested schools may subscribe to future BEST/UIL notifications by filling out an online form. These schools will receive further information on how to participate in workshops, how to register as a participating team, and other important information regarding the championship as it becomes available. A team must participate in a 2016 BEST hub competition season to qualify for participation in the UIL State Championship – BEST Division.
Who is eligible for participation in the UIL Robotics State Championships?
Participation in the UIL Robotics State Championship is open to teams composed of students from UIL member schools.
How will the UIL/BEST pilot affect the BEST regular season?
The UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Division will be held at the conclusion of the BEST season, allowing schools and students to participate in both.
How long will the pilot last?
The UIL/BEST pilot will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis. Feedback from partner organizations, school leaders, teachers and students will be valuable in determining if the pilot moves forward as a permanent UIL program.
What are the benefits of robotics being a UIL event?
The BEST partnership with UIL will make robotics programs accessible to an exponentially larger number of students across Texas. The UIL is the largest inter-school organization of its kind (in the world) with broad access into Texas schools.
Are there limitations on practice time?
Under Texas state law, students are limited to a maximum of eight hours of practice and/or rehearsal outside the school day per school week, excluding weekends and holidays for each extracurricular activity. (A school week is defined as Monday through the end of the regular school day on Friday.) Public school-based robotics teams are already subject to this rule regardless of whether they participate in the UIL State Championship.
Will BEST teams be required to participate in the UIL/BEST pilot?
No. Participation in any UIL activity is optional. Participation in the UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Division is an addition to the traditional BEST competition season.
Is Texas the first state to establish state-wide robotics programs in this way?
Texas is now the fourth state in the country to implement a statewide robotics program through its state activities association. Arizona, Connecticut, and Minnesota are the other state activity associations with a statewide robotics program.
What happens to BEST hubs now that there is a UIL/BEST partnership?
BEST hubs will continue to host BEST teams. UIL applies ONLY to UIL member teams in Texas. Texas-based BEST hubs will host UIL teams just as they host non-UIL teams. Remember, the UIL member school and/or school district decides to participate (or not) in any UIL Robotics events. If the school or school district does not want to participate in UIL robotics, they can participate in BEST just as they always have.
What if my team is not based in a UIL-member school?
Any BEST team may compete at a BEST hub. Qualifying BEST teams advance to compete in a BEST regional championship. This aspect of BEST does not change regardless of the partnership between BEST and UIL. Qualifying BEST UIL teams may also advance to compete in the UIL State Championship – BEST Division.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
When and where will the 2016 UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Robotics Division take place?
For the 2016 pilot, the BEST Robotics Division championship will occur in conjunction with the Texas BEST Robotics Regional Championship event in the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. Competition date is December 8-10, 2016.
How will teams qualify for the UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Robotics Division?
Team participation in the traditional BEST season will be used to determine team qualification for the UIL State Championship. UIL teams must compete in the BEST Award portion of the BEST competition. Top teams will advance to the championship.
Which teams (and how many) are eligible to compete in the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division?
All UIL member schools are eligible to participate in the UIL robotics pilot and those who qualify may compete in the UIL State Championship – BEST Division event. For the 2016 pilot year, at least 1/3 of the UIL teams will advance to the State Championship. To be eligible:
- The school must be a high school.
- The school must be a UIL member.
- The school must pay the registration fee by the September 30th deadline.
- The school's robotics team must compete in the BEST Award.
What awards are teams competing for if they enter UIL Robotics?
UIL will award a State Champion and Runner-Up in robotics in each of two groups. Group 1 applies to schools in conferences 1A - 4A. Group 2 applies to schools in conferences 5A-6A.
How much will the UIL State Championship registration cost?
UIL Robotics registration for BEST Robotics Division will be $525. This fee is required and does not guarantee the team will advance to the State Championship. Teams that do advance will not pay any further fees.
Will the Texas BEST Regional Championship become the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division now that BEST and UIL are partners?
The Texas BEST Regional Championship hosts teams from across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The Texas BEST Regional Championship will not become the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division, although the events may occur concurrently. Since UIL applies only to member schools in Texas, teams residing in New Mexico or Arizona cannot participate in the UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division just as non-UIL member teams may not participate. A UIL objective is to award a state championship as the culmination of the robotics season. The UIL state championship will occur soon after the BEST robotics season concludes.
Can a team attend the UIL Robotics State Championship – BEST Robotics Division event if they do not go to the Texas BEST Regional Championship?
Yes. The UIL State Championship – BEST Robotics Division is organized separately from the Texas BEST Robotics Regional Championship. Teams who meet UIL eligibility requirements and qualify for the UIL State Championship - BEST Division can compete.
COSTS & FUNDING
How much does it cost to start a BEST Robotics team?
BEST Robotics provides robotics kits to participating teams for free after they register for the program. The robotics kits include returnable and non-returnable parts and materials.
Currently, BEST Robotics sponsors or grants all team registration fees for its existing competition. Teams competing in the UIL extension to BEST Robotics will pay a registration fee of $525.
Can students raise funds to cover participation in UIL robotics?
Teams can fund raise and receive corporate sponsorships. The school district administration will set the policy and guidelines for any UIL team so the team may solicit and accept monetary and in-kind donations. The Athletic Amateur Rule restricts UIL athletes but does not apply to academic programs.
ORGANIZING A TEAM
How many teams can a school have?
BEST policy allows a single team from each school to participate. BEST does not limit the number of students per team.
How do you register a team for the UIL BEST pilot program?
Information on how to register a team for BEST Robotics and for UIL Robotics -- BEST Robotics Division may be found here.
BEST will use teams’ interest to estimate the final number of participating teams, to understand where those teams are located (the city or school district), and to contact the primary school teacher/coach with information updates as those occur. Note that this indication of interest does NOT mean the team must participate in the UIL pilot program in 2016.
How do teachers get involved?
Many resources exist within the BEST organization and communities to educate and support teachers who are considering or would like to start robotics teams within their schools. BEST is a project-based learning program which allows teachers from various backgrounds such as theater, arts, humanities, English, and debate, as well as STEM, to contribute to the overall success of a team.
Who can coach and/or mentor UIL academic teams?
UIL does not place any restrictions on volunteer coaches and mentors in UIL academic programs. UIL rules that require full-time district employees to serve as coaches or mentors apply only to athletic events.
If a district/school chooses to participate in the pilot, does a coach or mentor have to be a full-time school district employee?
This will be determined by local school district policy. UIL rules do not require the coach or mentor of a robotics team be an employee of the school although the UIL certainly encourages school districts to use their employees as coaches and mentors. BEST encourages schools to enlist several teachers of various backgrounds and skill bases, but to recruit and enlist mentors from local industries.