2025 Jackrabbit Best Robotics

Jerome J Lohr College of Engineering- South Dakota State University

2025 Game Teaser

Competition dates for 2025

have not been finalized.

 Our region has not decided anything at this time with converting to

the gizmo format.

Insight from Freeman School Regarding 2024 Regional Competition:

      "My favorite things about making it to regional robots in Colorado were sightseeing, socializing, and competing. I liked seeing the Rocky Mountains and the Garden of the Gods. I thought it was cool to see places I had never seen before. I enjoyed socializing with other students from other states. It was fun competing against other teams and getting as many points as I could get. I had some close calls like almost tipping the robot over and getting in the starter box at the last second. I really enjoyed the experience and hope to make it back to regionals again."

By C Randall, 7th Grade

      “My experience was great because of the socializing with other teams and sight-seeing was great. The competition was harder in Colorado than Brookings, other than that the competition was fun. I have learned a lot, like more about building a robot, teamwork and more about driving it better”

by J Ortman,7th Grade

     “BEST Robotics has the science and engineering, and t also has the opportunities to build communication skills. When you are driving a lot of people are cheering the team on so, you have to mostly communicate with your hands. When something goes right you can celebrate but when something goes wrong you still have to keep going— you have to work through it. Overall i had the most wonderful experience”

By A Fink, 10th Grade

  “As a Mentor, I see the problem-solving/team design being something the students will use the rest of their lives. The hands-on format encourages creativity and self-confidence. BEST Robotics provides opportunity for students to broaden their skills and imaginations. BEST Robotics is an excellent program providing opportunities for all students.”

By J Stucky, Mentor

Thank you, Freeman, for sharing your thoughts and experiences at regions.

Upcoming SDSU Events

 SDSU Hosting Space Settlement Design Contest for High Schoolers.

High school students wanting to keep their feet on the ground while still getting a good feel for what it would be like to live on Mars are encouraged to participate in the South Dakota Space Design Competition at South Dakota State University March 8-9.

The contest is part of an international event sponsored by Industry Simulation Education, which has been designing aerospace engineering contests since 1984, and is being hosted in South Dakota by SDSU’s Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

Working as teams, students will be tasked with developing a request for proposals for a settlement in space. The contest will focus on initial settlements and beginning economic activity near and on Mars, so it is a good chance for students to exercise creativity and gain knowledge about what it takes to live in space.

SDSU graduate engineering students will serve as mentors.

Project specifics will not be announced to students until they arrive on campus March 8. Also, students will be matched with other students they do not know in order to add to the communications challenge. The top 10 students will advance to the world championships at Kennedy Space Center in July.

The contest begins at 8 a.m. March 8 and goes through the night with students to make their 20-minute presentations Sunday morning. Early Sunday afternoon one team will be announced as the South Dakota finalist. The event is to be completed by 3 p.m.

The cost is $175 per student and includes meals, accommodations, all required material and an event T-shirt.

For more information, contact Jennifer Bickett, event coordinator at the Lohr College of Engineering at Jennifer.Bickett@sdstate.edu or 605-688-6792.

Summer Camps