#paydirt2015 MatLab Simulink Workshop Announced

Northeast Alabama BEST has announced a new workshop to be added for Technical Training Day. Technical Training Day will be held on Wednesday, September 30 from 9:30 am until 1:30 pm. Glen Bruce, of Marshall Technical School, will teach MatLab Simulink. To sign up click this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/technical-training-day-matlab-tickets-18632766105 

See an earlier news post to see other workshops available. 

Simulink by Mathworks Licenses Available!

We have just been notified by Mathworks that year-long MATLAB and Simulink licenses are now available at no cost to BEST teams, students and teachers. Remember that Mathworks offers a great deal of free training on their products, which are available for both Mac and Windows operating systems. Having this software in  your students' hands early means that they will have more time to be familiar with it before kick off day.

To receive this free software license we request that you first register to compete in Northeast Alabama BEST. 


One teacher from each school should register for Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics competition by clicking on the registration link on the right margin of this page. You may then download the software by following the directions below, provided by Mathworks:

MathWorks is pleased to announce that we will provide your team with free access to MATLAB and Simulink. Simulink and its support for the VEX Cortex Microcontroller can be used for programming your BEST robot. 

Apply for a license and learn more about our support here.

(NOTE: Once we receive your application it will take us 72 business hours to process the request.)

Benefits of using Simulink with your BEST robot:

• Free access to Simulink for the whole year. 
• Ability to download the software on to your own laptop (both Windows and Mac) and for all team members 
• No other 3rd party tools/compilers are required along with Simulink 
•  No prior programming knowledge is required 
• Access to training and technical support    
• Ability to participate in the Simulink Design Award

To meet our agreement with Mathworks your team should be registered for the 2015 competition before you request your software. It's a very quick form, so please take a moment to register.

MathWorks Changes for 2014

MathWorks recently announced changes in the changes in services provided to BEST teams for 2014. Mathworks provides a one year license to MATLAB and Simulink software at no charge to BEST teams. This allows teams to use the software throughout the year.

The new version will be available for download in late July. Nicole Carroll will provide teachers with a download link and instructions as soon as the software is released. One exciting feature for 2014 includes the ability to use the software on a Mac.

MathWorks is a national sponsor of BEST Robotics and provides both products and cash in support of BEST Robotics initiatives.