RC Logo without MSU
RM BEST Teacher / Mentor Newsletter 6
Early August 2021
2021 Game Logo
  • Please FORWARD this newsletter to others that might be interested. They may use this email address (RM.BEST.INFO.REQUEST@bestinc.org) to request to be added to the 2021 Distribution List.
  • Please REPLY if you do NOT want to be on our 2021 Distribution List
Teams Build a Robot this Fall
Expanded 8-Week Season
Demo Daze Events
In-Person Robot Build / Competition + Other Activities
  • Game
  • DEMO DAZE
  • Game Animation and Rules to be released at Kickoff
  • Robot Physical Build - robot kit available at Kickoff
  • Robot Competition In Person
  • Classic 4-quadrant head-to head
  • Engineering Notebook - required
  • BEST Award - planned in person
  • Marketing Presentation
  • Team Exhibit and Student Interviews
  • Spirit and Sportsmanship -TBD
  • Returning Activities
  • Critical Design Review
  • BESTMania Skill Challenge
  • Minecraft Challenge
  • ONLINE Optional Skills Challenges
  • Video design
  • Robot modeling - NOT OFFERING
  • Engineering drawings- NOT OFFERING
  • Website design- NOT OFFERING
  • Hub 8-Week Schedule
Currently Registered Teams
Demo Daze Schools
*Rookie School
Reserve a DEMO DAZE Game Spot
2021 Game Logo

Please Complete Steps 1-2 ASAP To Register for the Fall Competition

  • Step 1 - Login or Create Account - Lead Teacher and other teachers and mentors use the link above to Login or Create a new account.
  • Step 2 - Register Team - Lead Teacher is expected to complete this step by selecting the blue Register a School button on the Schools page. Select Rocky Mountain BEST as your hub. Find your prior School Profile by selecting your school from the popup list of prior schools. OR If you are registering a new school, CREATE NEW School with button at bottom of the list.

You will receive an email when your team's registration is approved.
DEMO DAZE Game Teaser
PREPARE OVER SUMMER
Free Training Program + Licenses
NOW Available ONLINE Material from
Teacher - Mentor Summer Training
Teacher / Mentor Institute (TMI) Material - a great way to refresh your knowledge
TMI Game
TMI Team 2
TMI Team 1
BEST Robotics Inc ONLINE
AUGUST Training
Training Webinars Available for the following Participants:
  • Teacher (T),
  • Mentor (M),
  • Student (S)
  • Parent (P) - highlighted below in red
  • Hub (H) or Volunteer (V)


BEST Robotics Tools - times are MDT*
  • Thu, Aug 12 - 4:00 PM BEST Student Registration - for Parents 45m (TMSP)
  • Thu, Aug 19 - 4:00 PM BEST National Registry - Team Workflow 60m (TMS)
  • Thu, Aug 26 - 4:00 PM BESTedu - Education for All 45m (HVTMS)

BEST Competition Activities - times are MDT*
  • Mon, Aug 16 - 5:00 PM 2021 Autonomous Programming Challenge 60m (TMS)  
  • Wed, Aug 25 - 4:00 PM Programming a Virtual Robot 60m (TMS) 
  • Sun, Aug 29 - 1:00 PM 2021 BESTMania IQ Challenge 50m (HVTMS) 

BEST IR Sensor Kit Part Electronics - times are MDT*
  • Sun-Fri, Aug 15-20 Anytime BEST IR Sensor Training Pre-Work 1wk (TMS)
  • Sat, Aug 21 9:00 AM BEST IR Sensor Workshop 120m (TMS)

Unable to Attend the Live Webinar?
After the scheduled live training, checkout this BESTRobotics.org / Participants / File Manager folder for video files:
ALSO

On Your Own MathWorks Training
(6 Classes at ~60 minutes each) - INFORMATION ABOVE*

  • Sun - Thu. Aug 15- 26 ANYTIME + Fri, Aug 27 4:00 PM Q&A 60m (HVTMS)
  • Sun - Thu. Aug 29-Sep 9 ANYTIME + Fri, Sep 10 4:00 PM Q&A 60m (HVTMS)

If NEW to MathWorks, HIGHLY RECOMMEND viewing the following prior to the 6 Classes:

  1. Intro to MATLAB (titled: Learn to Code with MATLAB)
  2. Intro to Simulink
  3. Intro to Stateflow
On Your Own MathWorks Classes
Class 1:
  • Introduction to programming using MATLAB
  • Programming basic robot movements
Class 2 :
  • Introduction to robot simulations using Simulink
  • Programming interactive robot controls
Class 3:
  • Using a distance sensor for autonomy
  • Hardware basics
  • Hardware demo- proportional motor control during obstacle detection
Class 4:
  • Creating custom functionality
  • Hardware demo - External mode Robot Sensors & Actuators
Class 5:
  • Task sequencing with flow diagrams using Stateflow
  • Hardware demo- IR sensor line follower
Class 6:
  • Programming of maze-solving robots
  • Hands-on programming task
Robot Control Software
Licenses with BEST

BEST Robotics Inc
  • Provides 3 robot control software license options for VEX CORTEX processor
  • All are complementary to BEST teams and available on National Registry Team Workflow

Options
  1. easyC
  2. RobotC - free legacy version
  3. MathWorks MATLAB/Simulink

MathWorks has 2 MATLAB/Simulink Access Options - each with different BEST team use requirements

MATLAB/Simulink DOWNLOAD

  • Requires a Windows based computer NOTE: Will NOT work on MAC or LINUX or CHROME based computer
  • Can be used to control a Physical BEST Robot
  • Can be used to control an ONLINE Virtual BEST Robot
  • Control software generated by MATLAB/Simulink is downloaded to the provided kit physical robot VEX Cortex processor via a USB

NEW MATLAB/Simulink ONLINE

  • Any computer can access the software via the web.
  • Virtual Robot control is possible only via a Keyboard (no Joystick control)
  • Cannot control a physical BEST robot
  • Includes MATLAB Drive for File Storage
  • Eases student computing requirements as it runs on a dedicated remote host

STEPS to access complimentary MathWorks license

  1. Register your team in the BEST National Registry with RM BEST Hub
  2. Any of your BEST team members can request a MathWorks Individual Account
  3. Generate a MathWorks account for BEST MathWorks Sponsored License by clicking Complimentary Software Request Software button at www.mathworks.com/best-robotics
Game Hints Available
with bESTology
bESTology is a resource for schools (teams) participating in the nationwide BEST Robotics Program to learn educational and workforce development concepts revolving around the 2021 game – DEMO DAZE
Teachers: 
We encourage you to incorporate bESTology into your curriculum, summer camps, enrichment activities and more.  
All videos have been previewed and embedded to ensure child safety.
Students: 
Knowledge is Power! bESTology will teach you the skill sets to be successful in the workplace and in life. 
We challenge you to become a bESTologist.
Regional Championship
2019 Championship Cheer
We're Optimistically
Planning a
2021 DENVER BEST Regional Championship

11-12 December @ Arapahoe County Fairgrounds - head-to-head competition and other activities similar to hub plan