Tennessee Valley BEST History

Tennessee Valley BEST (or “TVB” as it is known) was started in 2003 by a small group of volunteers who worked in the Huntsville area at various engineering based companies. Many were Auburn Engineering graduates. This group continued to run TVB through the 2006 competition, “Laundry Quandary.”

In January 2007, the same crew that runs Alabama BEST at Auburn University asked the TVB steering team if Auburn could run it as an Outreach program of the College of Engineering and College of Sciences and Mathematics. All agreed.

In February 2007, the Auburn folks approached Calhoun Community College in Decatur about forming a partnership to run TVB. Calhoun was targeted because of their reputation, location, affiliation with industry in the region, and quality academic programs and summer camps.

Calhoun officials eagerly welcomed the partnership because it was in keeping with their desire to have a Robotics Center based at the school. BEST, as an outstanding K-12 Workforce Development program, would help create a “pipeline” of technologically literate students into Calhoun’s academic programs as well as the Robotics Center.

Auburn University and Calhoun Community College, along with corporate sponsor Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, Daybreak Rotary of Decatur, and the many companies, government agencies, and organizations represented among the many volunteers, are pleased to be all a part of Tennessee Valley BEST. We all look forward to a splendid competition this year.