ACTE Registration Open

Registration for the Northeast Region ACTE Fair is now open and will remain open until February 6 at 4:00 pm. The technology fair is open to students in grades 3-12 and will be held at NACC on February 27. For more information, check out the ACTE website here.

One of the categories of competition is robotics and hardware. The entry fee is only $15 per person, which includes lunch. Teachers and bus drivers get in for free.

BEST Hub Co-Director Attends Prototype Game

Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics hub co-director Nicole Carroll recently attended the BEST Robotics Prototype Game Weekend, held in Mobile, Alabama. During the weekend, Mrs. Carroll was able to get a first glimpse at the game field and read the game rules. A favorite part of the weekend is when hub staff from across the country are given the opportunity to place a robot on the field to test the field.

Please click on the folder on the right to see photos of the weekend events....NOT! It will all remain a closely guarded secret until September 21.

While it would be nice to have a head start on the competition, that wouldn't be fair. But we can give you a list of things you can do to prepare for BEST 2013:

• Learn your programming software. Teams will be given a copy of Mathworks software when they register. Dig into your programming software files to refresh your memory.
• While tasks always vary, robots are typically made up of just a few main components: a system to move the robot, and an arm/hand system that can manipulate and/or move an object. Last year's game threw everyone a curve ball since the movement was up, and not on the floor. Even in the absence of game details you can work on design ideas for these specific components.
• Organize your team. Who will do marketing? Who will be your programmer? These are things that can be determined in advance of kick off, and will be valuable in helping you to determine who will attend which sessions on kick off day.
• Visit the Jubilee BEST website, and check out bESTology. Jubilee BEST is the designer for this year's game, and one of their teams recently visited with the President of the United States, so don't you think we need to see what these guys are doing?

Get ready...September 21 will be here sooner than you think!

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.