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Welcome to the 2017 July
Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter
You may click any of these links to jump to a specific section.
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How to help inspire youth for a lifetime with BEST Robotics in 2017!
Our 8th Year of Hosting a Free Colorado Robotics Competition
Find FUN ways to help bring BEST robotics at no cost to schools
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| 2017 Teacher Mentor Institute Participants with their mini-robots |
2017 TMI Teacher: "Thank you for one of the best teacher training classes that I have ever attended! There was a lot of information to try to take in, but the hands on training was very important."
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2017 BEST Robotics Game - Crossfire
PLEASE save these dates for our Fall Events. Send an email to [email protected] to get more information.
A first look at some of the 2017 competition changes from 2016:
- Venue and schedule changes in italics in the table below. This year we are working jointly with Front Range BEST volunteers at Englewood High School for the 9 September Kickoff and 14 October Practice Day. Note change in time for Kickoff Setup and for Kickoff event.
- We are planning to have schools present their Marketing Presentation (part of the optional 2017 BEST Award) on Practice Day - 14 October instead of the Friday before Game Day.
- More details on 2017 changes at Kickoff and in the August Volunteer newsletter.
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2017 EVENT
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Date and Location
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Kickoff - Start of Competition:
Game revealed + student, teacher and mentor training + protobot demo.
Jointly with Front Range BEST
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Saturday
9 September
7 AM - 1 PM
Englewood High School 3800 S Logan St, Englewood
Setup Friday 8 Sept
6 PM - 9 PM
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Practice Day - End of Week 5: Time for student teams to practice with their robot on 4 quadrant game field.
Jointly with Front Range BEST
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Saturday
14 October
Englewood High School 3800 S Logan St, Englewood
Setup Friday 13 Oct
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Game Day - End of Week 6: Student teams compete for awards on 4 quadrant game f
ield.
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Saturday
21 October
Auraria Event Center
Setup Friday 20 Oct
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Wild West Regional Championship - More to come about the inaugural event for Colorado BEST teams
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Saturday - Sunday
16-17 December
Auraria Event Center
Setup Friday 15 Dec
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2017 SCHOOLS
We are raising funds for 29 Schools to participate in 2017.
We are thrilled to host schools from the Denver metro area and around Colorado. We
filled all our 28 slots and our Alternate School. We are now adding schools to a Wait List.
Please ask any interested schools to contact us at [email protected].
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Rocky Mtn BEST Signed Up School
as of 30 July 2017
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School District or City |
| Abraham Lincoln High School |
Denver |
| Aurora Frontier P-8 |
Aurora |
| Aurora Quest |
Aurora |
| Aurora West College Preparatory Academy |
Aurora |
| Bishop Machebuef |
Denver |
| Broomfield High School |
Boulder Valley |
| Columbine Middle School |
Montrose |
| Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design |
Denver |
| DSST Byers |
Denver |
| DSST Cole |
Denver |
| DSST Stapleton High School |
Denver |
| Eagle Valley High School * ALTERNATE SCHOOL |
Eagle County |
| East High School |
Denver |
| East Middle School |
Aurora |
| Edna & John P. Mosley P-8 * |
Aurora |
| Gateway High School |
Aurora |
| Heath Middle School * |
Greeley |
| Innovation Center of the St. Vrain Valley Schools |
St. Vrain Valley |
| Monarch High School |
Boulder Valley |
| Mrachek MS |
Aurora |
| New Vista High School |
Boulder Valley |
| North Middle School |
Aurora |
| St. Mary's Academy Middle School |
Englewood |
| Skinner Middle School |
Denver |
| Skyline High School |
St. Vrain Valley |
| Thomas Jefferson High School |
Denver |
| Vista Peak Exploratory |
Aurora |
| Westgate Community School * |
Adams 12 |
| West Middle School * |
Cherry Creek |
* Rookie School
ALTERNATE SCHOOL - this school (Team 29) receives a robot kit on Kickoff 9 September and may build a robot and practice on Practice Day on 14 October, AND IF a school drops out prior to Game Day on 21 October, the alternate school would then become eligible to compete.
Wait List Schools - Strive Prep Rise (Team 30)
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Volunteers Preparing for 9 September Kickoff
20/21 July Teacher / Mentor Training
WOW! Front Range, Pikes Peak and Rocky Mtn BEST hub volunteers hosted a highly successful 2 day Teacher / Mentor Institute (TMI). This year we had two day session with 2nd day mini-robot competition focused on rookie teachers and mentors, and concurrent with the first day a NEW Advanced Training sessions for experienced BEST mentors and teachers. We had 16 Teachers and Mentors attend the two day sessions. Here is a photo of all the volunteers that made it possible!
Game Field Cut Day Success and Builders Off Working!
Our thanks to everyone who helped cutting the materials to build the 2017 Crossfire Game Fields. The volunteers were highly successful, completing in just a few hours. Woo Hoo! The Game Field will be revealed to the teams at Kickoff. Once more a photo of our incredible volunteers at Game Field cut day.
Awesome Kit Team 8 month effort -- coming to an end!
The Kit Team has been madly working on preparing the Returnable and Consumable Kits for Kickoff since January!! The Returnable Kits are ready and zipped closed. The Consumable Kits will be packed mid-August. You will say "WOW" when you see the new items included on this year's lists!! (We can't tell you now about the changes-that is a SECRET until Kickoff.) Thanks go to all the people who have helped count nuts and washers and screws and cut wire.... The Crossfire Rescue help has come from: Carolyn Bauer, JoAnne Fry, Patty Gaspar, Angie Mathias, Judith Schlesinger, Barb Watry, Lois Walton, John Pituch, Phil Hardy, Gary Pratt, and Lori Lazuk.
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SO MANY
WAYS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER!
No experience required, we hope you will join in the fun!
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Volunteer Position
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Position Details
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| Rocky Mtn BEST Leadership - Opportunities available to participate as a volunteer in leadership roles on our Board of Directors and Hub Steering Team. |
A variety of roles are available to fit volunteer schedules including fundraising, development, and fall event related responsibilities. If you, friends or family are interested in helping us bring robotics to more students, please contact Carolyn at [email protected] for more information.
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Volunteer Position
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Position Details
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Front Range BEST Hub Volunteers - The Front Range BEST Hub needs volunteers to help with the competition in the southwestern portion of the Metro Denver
area.
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P
rimary Activities are July- October.
Contact Tami Kirkland at [email protected] if you, friends, or family are interested in joining the fun with this great group. No prior BEST robotics experience required.
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| Rocky Mtn BEST Exhibit and Interview Judging Lead - Coordinate BEST Award Exhibits and Interviews Judging activities including: training judging volunteers; arranging for Exhibit judging volunteers to fill the judging slots for Game Day; and coordinating with BEST Award school team judging schedules. If you know someone to share this responsibility, co-leads permitted. |
Primary Activities are September - October.
Volunteer is able to determine schedule with attendance at Game Day on 21 October required.
Effort is estimated as approximately 4 hours per week.
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Fall Event Volunteers
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RM BEST Kickoff
8 September at 6 PM
Presentations start at 9 AM
Englewood High School, 3800 S Logan St , Englewood
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RM BEST Practice Day
13 & 14 October
Check next newsletter for schedule
Englewood High School, 3800 S Logan St, Englewood
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- Move and setup volunteers Friday for 3 hours including AV setup
- Setup volunteer Saturday for 1 hour
- Team Registration Saturday for 3 hours
- Volunteer Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Cleanup and move Saturday for 2 hours
- Computer Set Up Saturday for 2 hours
- Breakout presenters Saturday for 3 hours
- Referees Saturday for 4 hours *
- Kit distribution Saturday for 2-4 hours
- General help Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Hospitality Saturday for 6 hours
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- Move and setup volunteers Friday for 2-4 hours
- Setup volunteers Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Compliance Check Saturday for 2-4 hours*
- Team Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Volunteer Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Pit Support Saturday for 6 hours
- Staging Support Saturday for 4 hours
- AV Set Up Friday for 2-4 hours
- Referees Saturday for 6 hours*
- Scorekeepers Saturday for 6 hours*
- Cleanup and move Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Runners Saturday for 6 hours
- Hospitality Saturday for 6 hours
- Announcer Saturday for 6 hours *
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MORE OPTIONS ON GAME DAY!
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RM BEST Game Day
20 & 21 October
Downtown Denver
Auraria Event Center
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Volunteer
Options
Descriptions
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- Move and setup volunteers Friday for 2-4 hours
- Setup volunteers Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Compliance Check Saturday for 3 hours*
- Team Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
- Volunteer Registration Saturday for 2-5 hours
- Pit Support Saturday for 2-8 hours
- Staging Support Saturday for 8 hours
- AV Set Up Friday for 2-4 hours
- Referees Saturday for 8 hours*
- Scorekeepers Saturday for 8 hours*
- Cleanup and move Saturday for 2 hours
- Runners Saturday for 2-8 hours
- Hospitality Saturday for 6 hours
- Judges Saturday for 7 hours*
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- Jobs in GREEN need volunteers who are able to cover both 14 AND 21 October.
- Jobs with * require a few hours of advance training or reading.
- All other jobs receive directions the day of the event.
More information on fall RM BEST volunteer options will be available in future newsletters.
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More Ways to Help Bring Robotics Competitions to Colorado Students
Wondering what to do with your used car or truck?
Donating your old vehicle 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.
Have Fun at Elitch Gardens AND Support Rocky Mountain BEST
Tell your friends! Spread the word!! Help us obtain a donation to support our efforts to bring a robotics competition that is FREE to schools AND enjoy Elitch Gardens at a great discount!!
Discounts for Rocky Mountain BEST
One Day Admission only
$25.99 in September & October
One Day Admission only
$29.99 in August
(Regular main gate price is $49.99)
You make your plans, click on the link below to get your ticket(s), and we have a win-win for you and Rocky Mountain BEST.
Purchase, Print, and Play:
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Colorado BEST STEM Outreach Events
Erie Air Fair: Saturday, 12 August
Have Fun While Learning and Enjoying the Day
Rocky Mountain BEST will participate in the Seventh Annual Erie Air Fair on Saturday, 12 August. This free, family-oriented event at the Erie Municipal Airport has lots of activities: Displays of Aircraft (historical/military/general aviation); Food and Craft Booths; Live Musical Entertainment; and An Adventure Zone for Kids in the Hangar with activities by Wings Over The Rockies and Rocky Mountain BEST and MORE. We are planning a kid activity involving building a balloon-powered car, car races, or making a pop-up card-depending on age.
Please mark the date on your calendar since it is always great fun!!
Colorado Science Conference: Friday, 17 November
Attention Teachers and Volunteers
Rocky Mountain BEST will have a booth at the Colorado Science Conference (CSC) on November 17, 2017 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. It is a great time for science teachers to attend sessions, visit exhibitors, and network. Or-- if you are able-- come and volunteer at the RMB booth at CSC to spread the word about BEST, give teachers information for planning to participate in BEST, and to take a robot (made by a middle school team) for a spin!! To volunteer, contact [email protected].
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ADDITIONAL WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
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Benevity -
If
your company has gift matching through Benevity, Rocky Mountain BEST is one of the eligible non-profit organizations. Please check with your company about gift matching!
 Kroger Gift Card - If you have a Rocky Mountain BEST King Soopers Gift Card, Kroger donates 5% of EVERY gift card purchase -- including card refills -- to Rocky Mountain BEST... all at no cost to you -- FOREVER!
Contact Lois Walton at
[email protected]
to make arrangements to purchase a card.
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Amazon Smile -
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rocky Mountain BEST whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Donations - You can also
donate ANYTIME
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