Caterpillar Inc. has provided $10,000 for the BEST Robotics competition, hosted by UALR’s George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology.

The BEST Robotics competition is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math through participation in a sports-like science-and engineering-based robotics competition.

UALR is acting as the BEST “hub” for Arkansas, with 23 registered teams from throughout the state. The six-week competition culminates on Game Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2, in the UALR Jack Stephens Center.

The Game Day event is open to the public.

Paul Rivera, general manager of the Caterpillar Inc. Earthmoving Division Motor Grader plant in North Little Rock, presented the check Wednesday to UALR EIT Dean Eric Sandgren, as a demonstration of support for the competition.

Caterpillar Manufacturing Engineering Supervisor Lynda Melgarejo and EIT Assistant Dean Vernard Henley also participated in the check presentation. Both Rivera and Melgarejo are active members of the EIT Leadership Council, comprised of area business leaders.

For more information on BEST Robotics, visit bestinc.org.