BEST Robotics, Inc. Volunteer Thank You Video #G8KPR

Please watch this video thanking all the volunteers that make BEST Robotics possible across the country. If you look carefully you might even see some Northeast Alabama BEST personnel in the video.



Thanks to BEST Robotics, Inc. for all the support they provide to local hubs.

#G8KPR Open Driving Practice Time Available

Thanks to the kindness of Mike Sweat and the staff at the Northeast Alabama Agribusiness Center in Rainsville, we are able to get in the facility early to set up and prepare for competition on Saturday.

That means that we will be able to offer practice time on Friday, November 1 from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. Driving time will be allowed in 30 minute increments on a first come, first served basis. Teams who have already had driving practice time will be expected to yield the field to other teams if more than four are on site for practice at a given time. The facility will close promptly at 4:30 pm.

There will be no driving practice on Saturday morning.

The #G8KPR After Party? UR Nvited!

So what are you doing after the Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics competition Saturday? Sleeping. We understand completely. The last thing most of us want to do is go home and cook dinner.

Consequently, a number of us ended up at The Wing House in Rainsville last year after the competition, prompting us to discuss the possibility of an unofficial after party.

So here's the scoop. The Wing House will have a dining room reserved for BEST participants: teams, volunteers, families, friends, etc. immediately following the competition Saturday night. Please feel free to go over to enjoy a good, relaxing meal after the competition and hang out with some of you BEST friends.

No, we are not picking up the check.

Everyone will be responsible for their own ticket and gratuities will be automatically added to each check.

So before you settle in for your well-deserved nap, enjoy a good meal with your friends. We hope to see you there.

2013 Northeast Alabama BEST T Shirt Design

We are pleased to announce that through the generosity of our sponsors, all team members and volunteers participating in Northeast Alabama BEST this year will receive free T Shirts. The tan shirts, printed in Northeast Alabama BEST black and orange, will feature the Northeast Alabama BEST logo on the left chest and a listing of sponsors, grantors, and partners on the back.

Thanks to our sponsors for providing funds to purchase T Shirts for each of our participants!

Lots of Awards This Year

Everyone wants to win first place in the robot competition and BEST Award. Unfortunately, only one team can win each of these honors. But don't dismay, there are other great awards that teams may win. Here is a list of some of the awards in store for you this year:

• Founders' Award for Creative Design
• Tennessee Valley Authority Most Robust Machine
• Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Best Rookie Team
• Berry & Dunn Office Equipment Best T Shirt Design
• DeKalb County Homebuilders Association Best CAD Design
• Missile Defense Agency Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award
• Walmart Most Photogenic Robot
• Governor's Office of Workforce Development Spirit & Sportsmanship Award
• Tennessee Valley AuthorityTop Gun Award
• Fort Payne Improvement Authority Most Economical Design
• Governor's Office of Workforce Development Best Website
• DeKalb County Homebuilders Association Best Team Theme
• DeKalb County Development Commission Spirit of BEST Award for Grit
• DeKalb County Development Commission Spirit of BEST Award for Attitude

In addition, we will award:

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in BEST Award
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place in Robot Competition
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Walmart Best Marketing Presentation
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative Team Exhibit & Interview
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Missile Defense Agency Project Engineering Notebook

We encourage all teams to stay around for the awards ceremony, since each team will receive a certificate of participation, and are eligible for a number of awards.

Game Day to be Streamed Live on Southern Torch

We are pleased to announce that game day will be streamed live on SouthernTorch next Saturday. Please let your friends and relatives who can't be there know to tune in for live coverage throughout the day. 

Thanks for a Great Practice Day Today

Thanks to all the teams who participated in Practice Day today. It was exciting to see everyone and the progress you all have made on your robots. Be sure to check out some of the photos on our photo page.