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Game name Byte to Bit in front of 2 pieces of pizza

The BEST Program

For the 27th year, the Kansas BEST Hub will host the annual BEST competition for teams of high school and middle school students. The BEST competition motivates students by challenging them to build a remote-controlled robot that accomplishes a defined task within a competitive setting. Professional engineers and school teachers volunteer to coach teams through the engineering design process. Using only the materials in the BEST-provided kits, students have seven weeks to design, develop and test a robot that can outperform their competitors. The weeks of hard work will culminate in a thrilling day-long competition in November.

Participation in Kansas BEST is Fee-FREE! All electronics, robot materials and educational materials are provided to participating teams.

 

 

2026 Kansas BEST Calendar

Byte to Bite mascot with chefs hat and baking ingredients

KICKOFF - Saturday, September 12, 2026  

Wichita State University

Rhatigan Student Center and CAC Theater

Doors open at 8:30, program starts at 9:00 am.  This year's game will be revealed and the teams will pick up their kits.

Program

Game Animation

Annual Game Files

Practice Day Kansas 2026 at Heskett Center WSU Campus

PRACTICE DAY - Saturday, October 24, 2026      

Wichita State University

Heskett Center

Kansas BEST 2026 trophies, plaques, medals

GAME DAY - Saturday, November 7, 2026

Wichita State University

Koch Arena

Program

Results

Midwest BEST Game Logo 2026 featuring Wichita skyline with dramatic green field.
Information

Midwest Regional Championship - Friday and Saturday, December 4-5 2026  

Heartland Credit Union Arena

Park City Kansas

2026 Game Day Results

Special Awards

Sportsmanship - Central Christian Academy

Most Photogenic Award - Garden City

Most Robust Award - McHomes Homeschool Co-op

Founders Award for Creative Design - Wichita Homeschool

Top Gun Award - Wichita Homeschool, Driver Julia Schlittenhardt, Spotter Caden Heidrick with 114 points in single seeding round

Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award - West Franklin High School

Robot Performance

1st - Republic County High School

2nd  - Wichita Homeschool

3rd - McHomes Homeschool Co-op

4th - Wichita Collegiate High School

BEST Components

Engineering Notebook - 1st Wichita Homeschool, 2nd Garden City High School, 3rd Central Christian Academy

Marketing Presentation - 1st Garden City High School, 2nd Wichita Homeschool, 3rd Central Christian Academy

Poster Exhibit and Interview - 1st Wichita Homeschool, 2nd Garden City High School, 3rd Kapaun Mt Carmel Catholic High School

Promotional Video - 1st Wichita Homeschool, 2nd Kapaun Mt Carmel Catholic High School, 3rd Garden City High School

BEST Award

1st - Wichita Homeschool

2nd - Garden City High School

3rd - Circle High School

Advancing to Midwest Regional Championship

Robot Performance

McHomes Homeschool Co-op

Republic County High School

Wichita Collegiate High School

BEST Award

Central Christian Academy

Circle High School

Garden City

Wicihta Homeschool

 

 

 

2026 Newsletters

Want more info?  Contact the College of Engineering at Wichita State University