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Build a robot in six weeks; inspire a youth for a lifetime

Teacher / Mentor Newsletter
Issue: #15-002
April 2015
Quick Links
 
2015 Rocky Mountain BEST Schedule

Teacher / Mentor Institute

 30-31 July Wednesday / Thursday 

Metropolitan State University of Denver
 

COMPETITION DATES 


 

Kickoff

 12 September Saturday

Denver
  

Practice  Day

17 October

Saturday

Denver
 

Game Day

 24 October

Saturday

Metropolitan State University of Denver 
 

 

Rocky Mountain BEST Organization 

 

Board of Directors

 

Kathy Geise - President

 

Tim Bouvia  - Vice President

 

Jose Lopez - Executive Director

 

Carolyn Bauer - Secretary &  Hub Director

 

Lois Walton - Treasurer

 

 

 

 

Steering Team


 

Carolyn Bauer-Hub Director, Game, Returnables
 

JoAnne Fry and Lori Lazuk-

Consumable Kits
 

Jose Lopez-School Interface
 

Linda King-Volunteer Interface 
 

Linda Scott-Secretary, Awards & Judging
 

Lois Walton-Budget
 

MSU Students-Protobot
 

Patty Gaspar-Events
 

Scott McEwen-Venues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings! 

Welcome to the Second 2015 Teacher / Mentor Newsletter. We are contacting those who have expressed interest in or who have participated in the Rocky Mountain (RM) BEST annual middle and high school robotics competition. 
 

Here are the 2015 Saturday event dates for all three Colorado hubs (Rocky Mountain BEST, Front Range BEST in Douglas County, and SoCo BEST @Trinidad State in southern Colorado)
 

Kickoff 12 September

Practice Day 17 October

Game Day 24 October 

  RM BEST logo


 


 


 
 

We are planning the 2-day Teacher / Mentor Institute (TMI) event for 30 & 31 July at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Any schools signed up for the 2015 Colorado competition are eligible to participate. Rookie teachers and mentors are highly encouraged to participate. Check out more details about the training below.
 

Teacher / Mentor Institute:  Wednesday 30 July - Thursday 31 July at Metropolitan State University of Denver.   
 

Please SAVE these dates on your calendar.
 

There is still time to sign up to participate in the 2015 BEST PAY DIRT game. Use the blue competitions sign up link below to get more information about getting on a Colorado BEST hub's list for competing in 2015 - Rocky Mountain BEST, Front Range BEST, or SoCo BEST @Trinidad State. Listed below are the schools that have signed up so far.
 

Each hub is able to support a limited number of schools! 

2015 Colorado BEST Competitions Sign Up
 

We have information about the 2015 competition below with the 2015 PAY DIRT Game Teaser video link and information about Friends of BEST in Alabama optional web postings of PAY DIRT educational activities. Each post contains HINTS for the 2015 BEST Robotics Game - PAY DIRT.

  

And finally, a request for help. We are working with individuals in the Pikes Peak and Central Colorado areas about starting additional Colorado BEST hubs in 2016. Please contact [email protected] if you know of parents, friends, or family that are interested in working with these individuals to establish new hubs in these locations. 

What Schools Are Competing in 2015?
Rocky Mountain BEST and Front Range BEST Schools

Thanks to the schools that have signed up to compete this fall in the Denver Metro Area. The decision on whether the schools will compete in the Rocky Mountain BEST or Front Range BEST competitions will be determined no later than August.

  1. High Tech Early College - Denver
  2. WarrenTech Central -  Lakewood
  3. Bear Creek High School - Lakewood
  4. Russell Middle School - Colorado Springs
  5. DSST Stapleton - Denver
  6. Battle Mountain High School - Edwards
  7. Thomas Jefferson High School - Denver
  8. DSST Cole High School - Denver
  9. Broomfield High School - Broomfield
  10. Woodland Park Middle School - Woodland Park
  11. STEM Academy - Highlands Ranch
  12. Manning Middle School - Golden
  13. Mountain Vista High School - Highlands Ranch
  14. Ralston Valley High School - Arvada
  15. Innovation Center of the St. Vrain Valley School District - Longmont
  16. Standley Lake High School - Westminster
  17. St. Mary's Academy - Englewood
  18. DSST Green Valley Ranch High School - Denver
  19. Lake County High School - Leadville
  20. Highlands Ranch High School - Highlands Ranch
  21. Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning - Colorado Springs
  22. Chaparral High School - Parker
  23. Dakota Ridge High School - Littleton
  24. Skyview Middle School - Colorado Springs
  25. Skyline High School - Longmont
  26. Woodland Park High School - Woodland Park
  27. Boulder Explore - Boulder
Not on the list? 
There is still time to sign up. Use this link to learn more! 
 
For questions regarding sign up contact  [email protected]
Denver Teacher / Mentor Institute (TMI)
Training for You to Help Your Students Succeed in 2015

2014 TMI Mini Competition
This free training is highly recommended for Rookie Teachers / Mentors and is a great refresher for Veteran Teachers / Mentors. Included in the 2-day event on 30-31 July are a detailed look at the BEST program; instructions on how to build and control a robot; a panel with veteran teachers discussing how to establish a team; and finally a mini-competition with robots built by those attending the training. 
  
Teacher Mentor / Institute details will be emailed in May to those teachers and mentors signed up for the 2015 competition. The email will include instructions on how to sign up for this 30-31 July training at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
PAY DIRT Game Teaser Video
Check Out Hints for the 2015 BEST Game

The national BEST organization, BEST Robotics Inc. (BRI), has released a game teaser video of the 2015 Game - PAY DIRT. All the details of the PAY DIRT game will be provided at the September 2015 Kickoff events at each of the BEST Colorado Hubs . Game hints are available via bESTology described below.
 
2015 BEST Game Teaser
2015 BEST Game Teaser
2015 PAY DIRT bESTology Announced
14 Sets of Weekly Activities with PAY DIRT Game Hints!


bESTology is the study of Engineering, Science and Technology. Students are encouraged to become bESTologists!  
 
A lithium mine of weekly activities have been unveiled. Each post contains HINTS for the upcoming BEST Robotics Game - PAY DIRT. In addition, bESTology teaches the science, engineering and technology that will enhance the learning experience for the 2015 BEST game. At this link is the one page bESTology Announcement for this year's activities.   
 
bESTology 2015 Topics:
  1. Mining and Me
  2. Rock and Roll or ROCKS and COAL? 
  3. Dirt to Dust!  And beyond..
  4. Mine Games
  5. Dirt Pays!  
  6. Who wants what, when and why?
  7. Round And Round We Go
  8. Minerals ORE Rocks
  9. Mining and our Environment
  10. Nurture Nature
  11. Rock of Ages
  12. Let's Vent
  13. Coming 26 April
  14. Coming 3 May

Teachers, please consider incorporating bESTology activities into your classroom. Use this bESTology link to access the web page for 2015 postings and also view the 2014 Blade Runner and 2013 Gatekeeper postings at this link. 

 

Information about student digital badges for bESTology is also available.

2 New Colorado BEST Organizations in 2015
Two New Hubs Bringing a BEST Competition to Colorado

Front Range BEST in Douglas County will be hosting a competition. Check out their new website at http://www.frbest.org/
 
  
SoCo BEST @Trinidad State is hosted at Trinidad State Junior College and supports southern Colorado. 
Check out their new website at http://www.trinidadstate.edu/programs/soco-best .
 
Their Teacher / Mentor Institute is planned for 2 June at Trinidad State Junior College Sullivan Center.
Sincerely,
  


 

Jose Lopez

Executive Director, Rocky Mountain BEST

 [email protected]

Cell 303-520-3870

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