Volume 2025 / 02 | February 2025

Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter

2025 Game Teaser Video

bESTology is a weekly resource for schools (teams) participating in the nationwide BEST Robotics program to learn educational and workforce development concepts revolving around the 2025 game – fActoIds

A new spin on these lessons is that there is a quote focused on the lesson that students can learn about a notable person and reflect on how the quote is relevant to the fActoIds game.

Students are expanding their understanding of the game and real-world connections for technology.

Currently Available Lessons

Lesson 1 - “The truth is rarely pure and never simple” –Oscar Wilde
Lesson 2 - “Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” –John F. Kennedy
Lesson 3 - “Decision making is easy when your values are clear.” – Roy E. Disney

Seven More Lessons to be Released Weekly

Lesson 4 - Machine Language
Lesson 5 - AI Tools
Lesson 6 - Algorithms for AI
Lesson 7 - Interacting with AI
Lesson 8 - Ethics for AI
Lesson 9 - Testing and Training AI Models
Lesson 10 - Benefits of AI

RM BEST Volunteer extraordinaire Gwynn Moore is publishing this year's lessons.

CLICK to Visit the bESTology Site

Preparing for the Exciting fActoId Game

LEADERSHIP TEAM PARTICIPATION IN EARLY SEASON REVIEWS

Saturday 15 March - BEST Proto Season Kickoff - BEST counts on our large volunteer base to help perfect the game design by providing valuable feedback with this initial demonstration.
Friday - Saturday 25-26 April - Prototype Game Weekend - BEST's volunteer base continues their feedback and now tests the game with volunteer created robots.

DEVELOPING OUR SEASON SCHEDULE

SUMMER FREE Coach Training - Denver Teacher Mentor Institute

Early Summer – online pre-class training
Followed by July 15-17 in-person, hands-on training at St Mary’s Catholic Church 6853 S Prince St, Littleton

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 competition and judging including optional BEST Award Team Exhibits and Interviews

DECEMBER Denver BEST Regional Championship Event

Have Extra Hours to Volunteer?

More Ways to Make A Difference

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 have enjoyed volunteering at our events or have mentored a BEST team.
You can support from home.
Meetings are held online and include monthly management meetings, and during the fall season, weekly event preparation meetings.
It would be great if you are able to volunteer in person at our events.
To learn more about this team, please contact Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org.

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. To learn more about these positions, please contact Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org.

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? Please contact Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org to learn more.

Ways to Participate by Donating

Colorado Gives Donations

You can donate ANYTIME at Rocky Mountain BEST at ColoradoGives.org.

Benevity

If your company has gift matching through Benevity, Rocky Mountain BEST is one of the eligible non-profit organizations. Please ask your HR department about Benevity gift matching!

King Soopers/City Market

Thanks to the 18 households who are using their King Soopers / City Market savings cards to donate to Rocky Mountain BEST.

If you used to refill a King Soopers gift cards for us and now need help setting up your savings card, please email lois.walton@bestinc.org. Lois would be glad to talk you through the quick process!

King Soopers Community Rewards Page

Wondering what to do with your used car or truck?

Donating your old vehicle or boat to ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST is convenient, easy, and may qualify you for a tax deduction. And best of all, your donation of a used car or truck will make a big difference in supporting ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST.

Why not donate your vehicle today? All you need to do is to complete our SIMPLE ONLINE FORM or call 1-866-628-2277 and we'll take care of the rest. We will pick up your vehicle, arrange to have your donation towed, and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, all at no charge to you.

Rocky Mountain BEST Robotics |

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

Build a robot in eight weeks;

inspire a youth for a lifetime

Don't miss out making it possible!