ABOUT BEST
History → Mission → Vision → Future
BEST Robotics (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) is a nonprofit that inspires middle and high school students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through a free robotics competition. Founded in 1993 in Sherman, Texas, BEST began with just 14 schools and has since grown into a nationwide program impacting thousands of students each year. Its mission is to engage students in real-world problem solving by simulating a company environment where teams design, build, and market a robot in just six weeks. The vision of BEST is to create opportunities for every student to discover their potential in STEM, leadership, and teamwork. Looking to the future, BEST Robotics aims to continue expanding access, ensuring students everywhere gain the skills and confidence to become the next generation of innovators.
Lipscomb University proudly hosts Music City BEST Robotics (MCB), the Tennessee hub of the national BEST Robotics program. Since bringing the competition to Nashville in 2013, Lipscomb has provided a home for middle and high school students across the region to experience the challenge and excitement of robotics. Each fall, the university welcomes middle & high school teams to campus, offering not only competition space but also mentorship and resources from faculty, engineering students, and community partners. By hosting MCB, Lipscomb connects its mission of faith, service, and innovation with BEST’s vision of inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Our Team
Our Sponsors
Through its Nissan Neighbors grant program, Nissan provides essential funding and resources that make Music City BEST Robotics possible each year. Beyond financial support, Nissan contributes expert mentors from fields including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, finance, and purchasing, who generously give their time to guide students and inspire the next generation of innovators. On competition day, Nissan employees also volunteer in a variety of roles, from assisting with setup and judging presentations to capturing photos and videos that help document the excitement and achievements of every team.
Tennessee Valley Robotics, stemming from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), supports STEM education across the Tennessee Valley region. TVA provides electricity, recreation, and environmental stewardship to nearly 10 million people, and Tennessee Valley Robotics works to inspire the next generation of engineers. In addition to sponsoring Music City BEST Robotics, TVA supports six other engineering programs across Tennessee and neighboring states, providing critical resources to the schools and programs that need them most. The founder, Charley Spencer, brings almost 40 years of experience in accounting and program management, anticipating schools’ needs and ensuring they have the tools necessary to run successful STEM programs.