As most of my friends know, I teach LIFE, government, economics and geography. I do not teach science or math. I don't teach mechanics or shop. However, I came across B.E.S.T. and decided I would like to teach kids how to make a robot and then enter that robot into competition. I asked my boss, who lets me do anything I want, and of course he said with a chuckle, "O.K.".With the registration process completed with the B.E.S.T. organization, I recruited students to join my little group. Some students weren't entirely convinced that a social studies teacher could adequately lead a new club to design and build a robot let alone lead them to victory amongst many challengers with many years of experience.
As it was, we completed the task at hand, and we won the competition. We took five trophies, including the coveted Founders Award. That left one trophy for a runner up.
With such a good victory under our belts we headed off to the highest level of competition. I packed up my students, we got on the bus, and I drove us 8 hours each way. There the competition was the best of the best and we came in about midway. Not first, but no where near last! This is one of the things I am quite proud of not only as a teacher who was successful, but for my students who learned that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to build a rocket. Everyone can accomplish anything he wants if he only wants to bad enough.
Night all!
Angel
