SPANISH FORT — Have you ever wondered how nice it would be to have a robot clean your house like “Rosie” on the TV cartoon The Jetsons? Robots today are getting more and more sophisticated, from “Paro,” a baby seal robot designed to give comfort to nursing home patients, to a robot called, Banryu, a robot guard dragon.

Some Spanish Fort students are getting a chance to build their own robot for a national robotics competition called BEST — Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology in students. “Team Torobotics,” a team with 25 members, will represent Spanish Fort High School.

In a game-type format, each team designs and builds a radio-controlled machine which must accomplish defined tasks. Students are involved in every aspect of the project including objectives, decisions, design, publicity, art, team spirit and the engineering process.

Each school is only allowed one team, but there is no limit to the number of students who can participate. Teams are placed in geographical hubs, consisting of eight schools. The kick-off day was held Sept. 8, and each team received identical kits of equipment, raw materials and a detailed set of game rules.

“Not all these students make the best grades, but this can inspire them to do better and give them confidence,” pre-engineer teacher Julia Thomas said at last week’s meeting.

Students with any skill or academic levels are welcome to join the team. If the students have a difficult problem, they must do research to find a solution.

Thomas said she is less stressed this year, even with having to complete the project in ten weeks, because this time the team will be building a practice field of their own. Teamwork is necessary in order to solve problems by brainstorming, develop leadership skills and spirit, she said.

The BEST schedule of events includes visiting the Exploreum to eat pizza and watch an IMAX movie, as well as enjoying “Mall Day”, where students get to test drive their robots. That day also allows students to share ideas with fellow entrants about the robots. October 19-20 are competition days at Davidson High School in Mobile. There will also be a live feed from NASA on that day. The regional competition will be held Dec. 7-8 at Auburn University.

Scott Lump, president of Team Torobotics, said the team won 10th place last year; 24 schools competed. Last year was the first year for SFHS students to enter, and they did the best in the county, Thomas said.

Last year’s robot, named “Spleee”, had the capacity to hang clothes on a clothesline. The title was “Torobotics Laundry Quandary.” Spleee earned points by taking down laundry and placing it in a basket. Speed, maneuverability, traction, type of chassis, wiring and weight all came in to play in the design process. This year’s robot has been named “Spleee II.” A detailed engineering notebook complete with diagrams, notes and designs is also required. In addition, students can also do an oral presentation and table display.

Mentors from industry and academic coaches will assist, but students make the ultimate decisions for their robots. John Fowler, a licensed professional engineer, is one of this year’s mentors. Fowler said he is happy to support the youth in this way.

Some members of last year’s team are also mentoring this year’s group by showing them how to use different tools. Thomas hopes the excitement about the BEST program will continue to grow and that middle schools and more high schools will participate.