Check Out BRI's New Look!

If you've visited the BEST Robotics Inc. (BRI) website recently, you may have noticed some changes! In July, the national BRI website got a new look, including a new logo! The new website is still being updated to ensure all hub and regional information is correct, but is live and functional for your viewing pleasure!

Why a new logo? The new round logo better fits the needs of teams and hubs who may want to create patches, badges or other swag to celebrate team participation in BEST.

While the website was being updated, the national registry was also offline. We're happy to report that the registry is again live and ready for teams to register for the 2025 season!

Meet Lori Lazuk, Outreach Coordinator

Q: How did you get involved with BEST? What roles have you served in?

Back in 2011, I was led into BEST by Lois Walton (and Carolyn Bauer) during our Mah Jongg games. I agreed to work on kits and then found myself organizing Consumable Kits and being part of the Steering Team. The goals of BEST are positive and equitable, and the mission of BEST is definitely one I can support. Over these past years I have helped with Kits (mostly Consumables), Steering Team, TMI, BESTique, and Outreach.

Q: What types of things do you do as Outreach Coordinator? And, what do you love most about BEST?

Outreach has changed over the years, but we provide hands-on activities such as building a cardboard robot hand, making a balloon car, using electric paint to complete a circuit to turn on a light, as well as other less intensive activities like binary bead jewelry. In July, we participated in RMPBS Kids Fest talking with parents, kids, and even a few teachers to promote BEST and make more people familiar with the organization. It was great to spark interest in younger kids. It is never too early to begin to appreciate STEM and its possibilities.

Q: What jobs did you previously have before retiring?

Most of my career has been in education. I taught in Denver Public Schools. When I took a sabbatical to get my master’s degree in Computer Science and Math, I considered becoming a software engineer. When I got a job to transition to that tech path, the position required a security clearance. That is when I found out that I was a threat to the security of our nation (I had relatives in the former Soviet Union with whom I corresponded). Of course, it was fine for me to work the youth of our nation. Go figure.

Q: What are some things you do for fun in your life beyond BEST?

BEST takes up a lot time, but I still play Mah Jongg, meet with friends, enjoy music at Swallow Hill, and read mysteries. I have volunteered with other organizations, but BEST is the best! Join me as a volunteer in BEST in whatever capacity you choose!

In July, RM BEST facilitated its annual Teacher Mentor Institute for 20 teachers and mentors, including 11 in-person and 9 virtual participants who worked together on three design teams.

New this year, and based on feedback from previous years, the TMI team restructured the pre-workshop training to incorporate more deliverables, supporting mentors in developing tools and templates that they will use to support their teams during the season.

Participants worked in teams to compete in a mini-BEST competition, learning about the design process, designing, building, testing and improving their own robot, and writing an engineering notebook to document their work.

Mentors also had the opportunity to test-drive the new VEX V5 controller systems, using VEXCode Blocks to code their robots, and providing the leadership team with practice for leading a new VEX V5 breakout session for Kickoff Day.

Feedback from both participants and leaders was resoundingly positive. In the words of one of our participants:

"Loved getting to know people and schools participating.

Loved creating robots!!!! Loved the mock competition."

If you have ever considered coaching/mentoring a team, TMI provides a fantastic foundation to help get you prepared and provide experience with the BEST game format and deliverables.

Volunteers needed for 2025 Kickoff Day

Kickoff for the 2025 season is just ONE MONTH AWAY! Rocky Mountain BEST and Front Range BEST will be co-hosting Kickoff Day together at STEM School Highlands Ranch on Saturday, September 13.

Volunteers needed:

• Truck Loading at Lakewood Workshop on Friday, September 12, 3-4pm
• Event Set-Up at STEM School Highlands Ranch on Friday, September 12, 5-9 PM
• Registration, Game Field Monitoring, Kit Distribution, Field Tear-Down, Truck-Loading, Truck Unloading and Clean-Up

on Saturday, September 13, 8am-12pm

Throwback to the 2024 Game Reveal

Volunteer for Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (September/October)

We're just 10 weeks away from Kickoff for the 2025 season and teams will be participating in their Preliminary Design Reviews just 2 weeks later.

• We're in need of volunteers with engineering or design experience who are willing to meet with teams during their Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and/or Critical Design Review (CDR) to provide feedback and help teams to improve their design and approach to solving the problem.

• Although PDR and CDR are no longer judged events, they are critical for helping teams to solidify and improve their designs in order to have a functional and effective product for the competition. Your feedback is significant for their success!

• Virtual PDRs are scheduled for September 22-25 and virtual CDRs are scheduled for October 13-17.



• Training for mentors will take place the week before each event, with virtual PDR Mentor Training tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 20. Training will take approximately 1 hour during day/evening, depending on volunteer availability.

• Volunteer hours are flexible during weekday afternoons and weekend daytime hours, and volunteers can expect to contribute between 4 and 12 hours over a week’s time, depending on their availability.

If you're interested in joining the PDR/CDR Mentor Team, please contact Larry Malik at larry.malik@bestinc.org.

Do you shop at King Soopers? If so, you can support Rocky Mountain BEST just by doing your normal grocery shopping!

King Soopers' Community Rewards Program will donate a portion of all your purchases to a nonprofit of your choice.

There are TWO easy ways to designate RM BEST as the nonprofit that your account is linked to:

Option 1: Send an Email

1) Email KingSoopersCommunityRewards@kingsoopers.com and request to have RM BEST (#GJ308) added to your King Soopers Card account.

Note: You will need to provide either your King Soopers card number or your phone number to link your account.

Option 2: Connect via King Soopers website

1) Go to http://www.kingsoopers.com

2) Sign in to your King Soopers Account.

3) Once signed in, locate the search bar and type "Community Rewards"

5) In the search tab, search for "GJ308". This should bring up RM BEST.

6) Select "Enroll

RM BEST COMMUNITY REWARDS: #GJ308

FALL SEASON EVENTS

FALL 2025: Local RM BEST Hub Events

• Kickoff - September 13, 2025 at STEM School Highlands Ranch
• BEST Robotics kits distribution, game rules revealed and training opportunities

• Virtual Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews - September 22-25 &

October 13-17

• 30 minute online mentoring sessions during Week 2 and Week 5 to help teams focus and improve their designs

• Practice Day - October 25, 2025 at Rangeview High School
• Online delivery of engineering notebook through the registry
• Provide team access to game field for practice, and judging of optional BEST Award Marketing Presentations



• Game Day - November 8, 2025 at Rangeview High School
• Head-to-head robot competition and judging, including optional BEST Award Team Exhibit & Interview, and Spirit & Sportsmanship

DECEMBER 2025: Denver BEST Regional Championship

RM BEST is working to update our social media presence and reach a broader audience.

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/