The Pike Liberal Arts Robotics Team is gearing up for the BEST (Boosting, Engineering, Science and Technology) robotics competition coming up this Halloween. This is their second year to compete.

“We get no instructions,” said Alissa Jordan, the robotics class teacher and sponsor for the team. “We get a set of materials and a goal.”

On Sept. 19, the two classes that make up the Robotics Team will receive a “truck-load” of materials to create a robot with a list of limits that must not be exceeded. The team will have 40 days to complete the robot. The catch is that they do not know what the robot will have to do once on the competition field.

The task at hand sounds pretty challenging for students who are taking an introductory robotics class. To help with the process, engineers from Sikorsky come to teach the students and work with them, guiding them in the processes.

“These gentlemen are donating their time and energy and expertise to help us build and compete in the BEST robotics competition on Halloween,” Jordan said. “The engineers are teaching them the engineering process, but it’s hands-on. It’s great because the students are learning from somebody who does that for their job.”

The engineers act as “mentors” during the 40-day journey to build the robot. They do not build anything for the students or do any of their work; the mentors simply guide them in the right direction.

Although the Robotics Team is not technically a sports team, Jordan said other students from the school come to watch and cheer on the team.

“It’s insanely crazy,” Jordan said. “Everybody is cheering them on, but the students are totally focused because they only have three minutes to complete the task.”

The engineers go to the competition with the students, as well. Jordan said they go on the field with them and act as their “pit crew.”

Jordan said that being able to have engineers come into the classroom is one of the best ways for the students to learn.

“It is one of those things where it is the community and the schools partnering,” Jordan said. “It’s the most valuable way to learn. It’s huge to have the community team up with the schools.”

The robotics class is an “invaluable” asset, according to Jordan. The value doesn’t stay within the walls of the classroom; it will follow them to college.

“How many students are going to go to college and go into an engineering class and say they have already worked with those software and tools?” Jordan said. “They are already leaps ahead.”

She said that value would follow them into the career field.

“Companies are going to look at them first,” Jordan said. “They already have a good foundation. They are ready to be employable.”

The BEST Robotics Competition will be Oct. 31 at the Ozark Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.