Last Saturday, the Belton High School robotics team competed in the regional BEST (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) competition held at University High School in Waco.
The event was managed by Texas State Technical College.
The Belton team took first place overall, competing against 22 teams from the central Texas area, including teams from Temple, Killeen, Waco, Gatesville, Hamilton, Crawford, and other communities.
This is just the second year BHS has had a team in competition.
Last year, the Belton team won first place in the head to head robotics competition.
This year's win was the most significant prize awarded in the competition.
The win allows the Belton team to advance to U.S. Regional competition to be held Nov. 18-19 at the University of Texas, Dallas.
The Best program goals are intended to inspire and motivate students toward studies and careers in engineering, science and technology.
The competition is about changing the way students think about science and technology, and takes place in an exciting, multifaceted team environment.
The competition is based on hubs currently existing in 15 states across the United States where winning teams advance through various rounds to eventually face each other at a national venue.
The Belton High School team is coached by Stephen Jehl and Pietro Guistino. Earlier in the week, presentations were made by the robotics team to Belton's middle school students to facilitate a rapidly growing interest in robotics and technology in the district.
The robotics team was helped in sponsorship by Harvest Technologies and David Jennings State Farm Insurance.