Welcome to the 2017 June
Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter  
You may click any of these links to jump to a specific section. 
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
2014 Kickoff Volunteers + Banner
  BRI
WOW!
New BEST Robotics, Inc. Logo! 
More changes coming...
 BEST Robotics, Inc., BRI, has created a new logo that you will be seeing this year bringing a renewed spirit of growth to BEST Robotics.  We will also be introducing in future newsletters a new BRI website that will be easier to navigate.

Schools
2017 BEST Game Logo 2017 BEST Robotics Game - Crossfire
PLEASE save these dates for our  Summer Training and Fall Events.  Send an email to linda.king@bestinc.org to get more information.
       
2017 EVENT
Date and Location
BEST SIMULINK Training  - This FREE two-day program targets students who wish to learn more about robot programming and simulation using the MathWorks MATLAB / Simulink products.     
Thursday - Friday 13-14 July

Metro State University of Denver

For students signed up for the 2017 Competition

Teacher / Mentor Institute - FREE  two-day teacher/ mentor training provided jointly with Front Range BEST and Pikes Peak BEST Hubs.      
Thursday - Friday 20-21 July

Metro State University of Denver, Student Success Building

Kickoff - Start of Competition: Game revealed + student, teacher and mentor training + protobot demo.
Saturday
9 September

Location to be announced

Practice Day - End of Week 5: Time for student teams to practice with their robot on 4 quadrant game field.
Saturday 
14 October

Location to be announced
Game Day - End of Week 6: Student teams compete for awards on 4 quadrant game f ield.
Saturday 
21 October
Auraria Event Center
Wild West Regional Championship - More to come about the inaugural event for Colorado BEST teams
Saturday - Sunday
16-17  December
Auraria Event Center


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 still have room for 1 more school plus a STANDBY School. We will also have a Wait List. Please ask any interested schools to contact us at info@rockymountainbest.org.

Rocky Mtn BEST Signed Up School
School District
Abraham Lincoln High School Denver
Aurora Frontier P-8 Aurora
Aurora Quest Aurora
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy
Aurora
Bishop Machebuef
Denver
Broomfield Boulder Valley
Columbine Middle School Montrose
Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design
Denver
DSST Byers Denver
DSST Cole Denver
DSST Stapleton
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

Cars
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.
Why not donate your vehicle today? All you need to do is to complete our simple online form at http://www.vehiclesforcharity.org/Donate/RMB.html 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. Call 1-866-628-2277 or online at http://www.vehiclesforcharity.org/Donate/RMB.html


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 June, July, & 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:
  Volunteer
  
In case you missed it last month... 
SO MANY 
WAYS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER! 
No experience required, we hope you will join in the fun!  

Near Term Volunteers
Volunteer Position
Position Details
Rocky Mtn BEST Monday Kit Team - Currently finishing
refurbishment of tested 2016 kits and starting the consumable kits to prepare for 2017 kit distribution to schools in September. Preparing materials for July Teacher / Mentor Institute training.
Most Mondays ~10 AM - 1 PM with a lunch break at a local restaurant. 
781 Vallejo Street in Denver near I-25 and 8th Avenue. Helping occasionally is also great!
Contact Shannon at  sragland@rmbest.org for more information.
Rocky Mtn BEST Awards and Judging Lead - Coordinate all the Award and Judging activities including: training student teams and judging volunteers; arranging for judging leads and judging volunteers to fill the judging slots for Game Day; and procuring Student Team Awards. If you know someone to share this responsibility, co-leads permitted. 
Primary Activities are June - October.
Volunteer determines schedule with attendance at Game Day on 21 October required. 
Effort is approximately 4 hrs/ wk.
Contact   Linda.King@bestinc.org  to
learn more about this position.
Prior experience as a BEST volunteer is helpful - especially in judging - but it is not required!
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 c ontact Carolyn at  cbauer@rmbest.org  for more information.
2016 Kickoff Kits    2015 Awards
Summer  Volunteers
Volunteer Position
Position Details
Rocky Mtn BEST Game  Field Builders     
Use BEST-provided drawings to construct and assemble game field components. Multiple separate components permit multiple independent helpers to separately construct components. Tools needed include the following depending on component: saws to cut plywood, lumber, foam, and PVC; wood sander; paint brushes; drill for screw holes; and screw drills / drivers. 
Primary Activities are July-August. We expect to have final drawings and material for Game Field components ready by mid-July. Full assembly of most components and testing to be completed by mid-August.
Time required is 4 to 40 hours depending on component.
Contact Carolyn at   cbauer@rmbest.org  for more information. 
Skills needed include: read drawings, construct using tools, assemble components with glue (PVC), screws, and hinges, and paint components.
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.
P rimary Activities are July- October.
Contact Tami Kirkland at Tami.Kirkland@frontrangebest.org if you, friends, or family are interested in joining the fun with this great group. No prior BEST robotics experience required.
Rocky Mtn BEST Exhibit and Interview Judging Lead - Coordinate BEST Award 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.
Contact   Linda.King@bestinc.org  if you are interested in learning more about this position.

2016 Cut Day 2     2014 Kickoff Check in
Fall Event Volunteers
RM BEST Kickoff
8 & 9 
September
School to be announced
RM BEST Practice Day
13 & 14  October   
 School to be announced

  1. Move and setup volunteers Friday for 2-4 hours
  2. Setup volunteer Saturday for 2-4 hours
  3. Team Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
  4. Volunteer Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
  5. Cleanup and move Saturday for 2 hours    
  6. Computer Set Up Saturday for 2 hours
  7. AV Set Up Friday for 2-4 hours
  8. Breakout presenters Saturday for 2-4 hours
  9. Referees Saturday for 4 hours *
  10. Kit distribution Saturday for 2-4 hours
  11. Runners Saturday for 2-4 hours
  12. Hospitality Saturday for 6 hours
2015 Kickoff SMA  

  1. Move and setup volunteers Friday for 2-4 hours
  2. Setup volunteers Saturday for 2-4 hours
  3. Compliance Check Saturday for 2-4 hours*
  4. Team Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
  5. Volunteer Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
  6. Pit Support Saturday for 6 hours
  7. Staging Support Saturday for 4 hours
  8. AV Set Up Friday for 2-4 hours
  9. Referees Saturday for 6 hours*
  10. Scorekeepers Saturday for 6 hours*
  11. Cleanup and move Saturday for 2-4 hours
  12. Runners Saturday for 6 hours
  13. Hospitality Saturday for 6 hours 
  14. Announcer Saturday for 6 hours *
  

MORE OPTIONS ON GAME DAY!
 
RM BEST Game Day 
20 & 21 October
Downtown Denver 
Auraria Event Center

Volunteer  Options 
Descriptions
  1. Move and setup volunteers Friday for 2-4 hours
  2. Setup volunteers Saturday for 2-4 hours
  3. Compliance Check Saturday for 3 hours*
  4. Team Registration Saturday for 2-4 hours
  5. Volunteer Registration Saturday for 2-5 hours
  6. Pit Support Saturday for 2-8 hours
  7. Staging Support Saturday for 8 hours
  8. AV Set Up Friday for 2-4 hours
  9. Referees Saturday for 8 hours*
  10. Scorekeepers Saturday for 8 hours*
  11. Cleanup and move Saturday for 2 hours
  12. Runners Saturday for 2-8 hours
  13. Hospitality Saturday for 6 hours 
  14. Judges Saturday for 7 hours*2016 Practice

  • 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.  

If you have questions, please contact me at  linda.king@bestinc.org.

2016 Market Present

Outreach
Colorado BEST STEM Outreach Events 
BEST at 2017 GlobalMindED Conference
 21-23 June at Sheraton Denver Downtown

BEST Robotics, Inc., (BRI), our parent organization, and Rocky Mountain and Front Range BEST participated in the GlobalMindED conference on 21-23 June at Sheraton  Denver Downtown. We made several new contacts with businesses and Colorado teachers and students interested in BEST robotics. Photo of Jose Lopez, RM BEST,  Tami Kirkland, FR BEST, and BEST Director of Marketing and Communications, Deb Ellsworth manning the exhibit booth.
Photo of Jose Lopez, Tami Kirkland and BEST Director of Marketing and Communications, Deb Ellsworth manning the exhibit booth at GlobalMinded Conference in Denver.

GlobalMindED is an educational and research non-profit organization committed to creating a 
capable, diverse talent pipeline for first-generation-to-college,  at-risk and low-income students 
and job seekers. 


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!!
More
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
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  lwalton@rmbest.org   to make arrangements to purchase a card. 
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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