Thursday, March 28, 2013

Girls and STEM

We hear a lot of talk about encouraging girls to enter science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, and that's a great idea. But what we might not realize is that while underrepresented in STEM fields, women have been making contributions to STEM fields for many years.

Rachel Levy, associate professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College in California, decided to set the record straight with her blog entitled, Grandma Got STEM. This blog highlights the lives and careers of ordinary women who made a difference in the lives of others through careers in STEM-related fields.

This one is definitely worth checking out.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Welcome to New Sponsor: Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative




We are pleased to announce that Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative has joined Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics as our newest sponsor. Those of us who live and work on Sand Mountain know about the cutting edge products and services that Farmers provides its members.

Established in 1952, Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative is Alabama’s largest member-owned, operating telephone cooperative. Farmers serves close to 17,000 subscribers in seven exchanges across DeKalb and Jackson counties, and provides an impressive array of advanced telecom services that once might have been assumed simply not to be available to rural citizens.

We appreciate board president Randy Wright, general manager Fred Johnson, marketing manager Brandi Lyles and the entire board and staff of Farmers Telecommunications for their support of BEST Robotics. We are pleased to have them on board as a sponsor!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Pisgah's Gus Hembree Shakes It...

You come to this site for information, knowledge, data, and perhaps even wisdom...

Well, none of that today. What we do have for you is Pisgah High School BEST Robotics coach, Gus Hembree doing what he does best...Okay, that might be an exaggeration. But you've got to check out this video, which is part of an FCA video competition.



Note to self...Maybe we need a coaches dance contest on game day. Go Coach Hembree!

Registration Open for Summer STEM Experience!

Registration is now open for NACC's Summer STEM Experience. Please click on the link below to download a registration form. Registrations will be processed on a first come, first served basis. The registration must include payment to assure a spot in the camp. Details are listed below.

The college will sponsor three STEM activities on campus this summer:

For Grades 7-8 - Robotics Day Camp
Students in grades 7-8 can attend a week-long robotics day camp the week of June 3-7 (9 am - 4 pm). During this camp, students will learn to build, program, and operate simple robots. Participants will show off what they have learned during the week at a completion celebration held the evening of June 7. A field trip to a local industry will allow students to see industrial robots in action. The cost of the camp is $59, which includes lunches each day.

For Grades 9-10 - Manufacturing Day Camp
Rising freshmen and sophomores can attend a manufacturing day camp the week of June 3-7 (9 am - 4 pm) in which the student will be introduced to the world of manufacturing through hands-on projects, and site visits to manufacturing facilities. In addition, students will be introduced to basic entrepreneurial concepts and skills. Students will walk through the manufacturing process and will go home at the end of the week with a great project that they design and produce. The cost is $59, which includes lunches each day. This camp is co-sponsored by GH Metal Solutions, Fabricators and Manufacturers' Association (FMA) and the Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs Foundation.

For Grades 10 - 12 - Dual Enrollment Robotics
For the second year, NACC will offer a dual enrollment class to prepare eligible students for the BEST Robotics competition in the fall. Students will study engineering, design, and manufacture of specific robotic components while meeting Monday nights during the summer. Students may obtain both college and elective high school credit for successful completion of this course. The cost of the course is $414; scholarship may be available to those who qualify.

For more information, visit this link where you may download a registration form.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Tentative 2013 Dates Changed

Due to changes in available game days by Best Robotics, Inc. and the release of BEST Q&A, we have changed our tentative kickoff, practice, and game days. Once venues have been secured, these dates will be locked in. Keep an eye on list on the right side of the screen for any changes in dates.

Cinder Block Throwing Robot

So you probably don't want to sign this Big Dog Robot, developed by Boston Dynamics, up for your masonry class (you'll see why in the video). But if you are a soldier who needs help carrying heavy loads over rough terrain, Big Dog could just be your best friend. What skills learned in BEST Robotics are likely used by the builders of this military grade robot?


Thursday, March 7, 2013

NACC's Summer STEM Experience

Northeast Alabama Community College is pleased to announce its first Summer STEM Experience.

The college will sponsor three STEM activities on campus this summer:

For Grades 7-8 - Robotics Day Camp
Students in grades 7-8 can attend a week-long robotics day camp the week of June 3-7 (9 am - 4 pm). During this camp, students will learn to build, program, and operate simple robots. Participants will show off what they have learned during the week at a completion celebration held the evening of June 7. A field trip to a local industry will allow students to see industrial robots in action. The cost of the camp is $59, which includes lunches each day.

For Grades 9-10 - Manufacturing Day Camp
Rising freshmen and sophomores can attend a manufacturing day camp the week of June 3-7 (9 am - 4 pm) in which the student will be introduced to the world of manufacturing through hands-on projects, and site visits to manufacturing facilities. In addition, students will be introduced to basic entrepreneurial concepts and skills. Students will walk through the manufacturing process and will go home at the end of the week with a great project that they design and produce. The cost is $59, which includes lunches each day. This camp is co-sponsored by GH Metal Solutions, Fabricators and Manufacturers' Association (FMA) and the Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs Foundation.

For Grades 10 - 12 - Dual Enrollment Robotics
For the second year, NACC will offer a dual enrollment class to prepare eligible students for the BEST Robotics competition in the fall. Students will study engineering, design, and manufacture of specific robotic components while meeting Monday nights during the summer. Students may obtain both college and elective high school credit for successful completion of this course. The cost of the course is $414; scholarship may be available to those who qualify.

For more information, visit this link where you may download a registration form.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

New Sponsor: Source 4 Manufacturing, Inc.

Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics is pleased to welcome Source 4 Manufacturing as a new sponsor. Source 4 Manufacturing is a Scottsboro-based manufacturer which provides products and services, including powder coating, to other manufacturers. Thanks to Rita Blair and her crew for being part of Northeast Alabama BEST for 2013!

Friday, March 1, 2013

New Sponsor: Fort Payne Improvement Authority

We are excited to welcome the Fort Payne Improvement Authority as a new sponsor of Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics! Danny Brisendine and his staff are excellent members of the community and always assure that the lights are on in Fort Payne.

Be sure to thank the good folks at FPIA for being a part of Northeast Alabama BEST for 2013.