Huron High School

On Saturday, November 15, twenty STEAM students from Huron High School competed at the Northern Ohio Regional BEST Robotics Competition, held at the Stroh Center on the campus of Bowling Green State University. This year’s theme centered on a timely and important topic—Artificial Intelligence—challenging students to explore how AI can be used to identify truth, evaluate information, and solve real-world problems.

Huron was one of 20 teams from across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan participating in the Falcon BEST Hub, a robotics event that tasks student-led teams with designing and engineering a remote-controlled robot. In addition to robot performance, teams are evaluated in marketing, engineering notebooks, project documentation, CAD modeling, exhibit design, website and video creation, and entrepreneurship.

EpicBots AI: A Student-Created Robotics Company

The Huron High team formed a fully functioning pretend company called EpicBots AI, with students applying for positions such as robot builders, CAD designers, marketing specialists, trade-booth representatives, and art and media designers. Under the guidance of coaches Matt Asher and Patricia Ryan, students collaborated across departments for 13 weeks to build a robot and develop a full brand identity for their fictional AI company.

Their company slogan, “AI Solutions, Engineered for Your Success,” reflects their mission:
“To leverage the power of AI to create intelligent robotic solutions that solve real-world problems.”
Their brand promise emphasizes integrity, environmental responsibility, sustainability, and truth-seeking technology.

Competition Highlights

The engineering challenge this year required robots to collect factoids from the game field and sort them into “truth” or “false” categories, simulating how AI filters information online. Four robots competed in three-minute rounds, and five EpicBots students served as drivers and spotters during the event. The team demonstrated impressive skill, teamwork, and determination.

EpicBots AI competed across multiple judged categories including:

• Robotics Performance

• Marketing and Presentation

• Engineering Notebook

• CAD Design & Modeling

• Exhibit and Booth Design and Interviews

• T-shirt Design

The most prestigious recognition of the event, the BEST Award, honors teams that excel in teamwork, creativity, engineering design, community involvement, and brand development. Huron High School proudly earned 3rd place in the Marketing Category, an outstanding accomplishment in a highly competitive field.

Award-Winning Marketing Team Earns 3rd Place

A highlight of the day came from the marketing division of EpicBots AI. Five team members delivered a polished 20-minute marketing presentation—complete with professional branding, company research, sustainability plans, testimonials, and manufacturing logistics. Their presentation earned 3rd place, marking a major victory for the team.

Coach Patty Ryan shared her pride in her students:

“They worked incredibly hard for 13 weeks. We never let off the gas! They researched the history of AI and its impact on society. They created a company with a mission, brand identity, sustainability, and vision for responsible technology. They put on their black suits, white shirts, and neon green ties—and they delivered. They won because they believed in each other and what they built. We will never forget what we learned on this journey: how to work as a team, how to push through challenges, and how capable we truly are. I am beyond proud.”

A Season to Remember

The EpicBots AI team leaves this year’s BEST Robotics competition with new skills, new confidence, and unforgettable memories. Their dedication, teamwork, and creativity truly represent the spirit of Huron High School and the BEST Robotics mission: Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology. Check out our team action shots.