We are excited to share our 2026 BEST Robotics Inc Hub Operations Policy revised BEST Robotics Mission and Principles:

Our mission is: To inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) by engaging them in hands-on robotics challenges that foster teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving

• Students are the sole participants and primary decision-makers, designers, and builders
• Participation is open to all students
• The program is free to schools—no participation fee
• Equipment and materials are provided at no cost to participating schools
• Schools of any type, size, location, or socioeconomic status are eligible

Our Hub Volunteer Leadership Team is attending these upcoming meetings to support the successful development of this year's competition. If interested in participating in these preparations, consider joining the Steering Team as described in the Help Wanted section,

Saturday 14 March - BEST Proto Season Kickoff-Virtual: BEST counts on our large volunteer base to help perfect the game design by providing valuable feedback with this initial demonstration.

Friday - Saturday 24-25 April - Prototype Game Weekend In-person: BEST's volunteer base continues their feedback and now tests the game with volunteer created robots.

Professional Speaker Series - February, March, also August

BEST Robotics is offering several new and exciting opportunities for teams to stay engaged during the spring "off season". 10-part industry speaker series for students to listen to and interact with professionals from a variety of STEM-related career field. Presentations will be 30 minutes long followed by a 10-minute Q&A. Speaker Series Schedule Link and Team Registration Link. Registration will close 1 week before each event.

NASA HUNCH Design Competition

BEST is partnering with the NASA HUNCH program to offer a spring robotics challenge in which teams design a lunar or Martian landscape and develop a swarm of small robots that can be driven remotely to carry out missions on the specialized topography. Teams would present their designs to NASA professionals in April/May.

For more information about this exciting new challenge, listen to a webinar by Michael Hayes, NASA Professional (and former STEM teacher and BEST coach), peruse a PDF of his presentation, and check out the NASA HUNCH HERA website and if a team is interested in participating use this registration link.

BEST Robotics Inc is moving BEST Apps and support tools for volunteers and teams to a new server with 2026 baseline. During this period, the tools and data should not be used. Once this period is completed, we will notify volunteers and teams.

Please Help: Donations Needed

Please help collect donations for our annual June 5 - 14 online fundraising auction.

Willing to contact companies or your favorite store or restaurant to see if they might be willing to donate a gift card or product for our online auction?

Please contact Lois.Walton@bestinc.org to learn more.

Save the Date! Please help us spread the word about the auction to your friends & family!

Your participation and generosity make it possible to bring our robotics education program to middle & high school students - at no cost to schools

SUMMER FREE Coach Training - Denver Teacher Mentor Institute

• Early Summer – online pre-class training resources
• Followed by July 14-16 in-person, hands-on training at St Mary’s Catholic Church 6853 S Prince St, Littleton
• Event Set Up by volunteers on the afternoon of July 13
• Coming soon - volunteer interest and teacher registration instructions

PLANS ARE IN WORK FOR:

FALL Local RM BEST Hub Events

• Kickoff –BEST Robotics kits distribution, game rules revealed and training opportunities
• Practice Day – access to game field for practice, required Engineering Notebook delivery and optional BEST Award Marketing Presentation judging
• Game Day – team Head-to-Head Robotics competition and judging including optional BEST Award Team Exhibits and Interviews

DECEMBER Denver BEST Regional Championship Event

Each year, BEST Robotics collects survey data from student participants to learn more about the impact of our competition. Below are corrected charts for the questions allowing multiple responses from students.

Together we are providing an opportunity for education and workforce to intersect!

STEERING TEAM POSITIONS

• We are looking for volunteers interested in developing, coordinating, and implementing our BEST summer and fall robotics events.
• No robotics or special skills required.
• Especially helpful, but not required, if you enjoyed volunteering at our events or have mentored a BEST team.
• Meetings are held online and include monthly management meetings, and during the fall season, weekly event preparation meetings.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS

• We are looking for enthusiastic RM BEST advocates to join 6 other board members to help us fulfill and advance our mission.
• Especially helpful if you have contacts to expand our community connections and fundraising opportunities.
• You can support from home. Monthly meetings are held online. 

NEW SPONSORS

• Know a company or foundation that might want to hear about how they can help provide our inspiring STEM program free to schools?  
• Have a contact in the food service field? They may want to be a Game or Field Sponsor! 

To learn more about these opportunities, please contact gwynn.moore@bestinc.org and Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org. 

Please help us spread the word and broaden our virtual community! If you use Instagram, please consider following us! Over the years, several accounts have been created for our hub, but the official account that is facilitated by RM BEST is @RockyMtnBESTRobotics.

Rocky Mountain BEST Robotics

rm.best.info.request@bestinc.org | http://www.rockymountainbest.org/