#bladernnr National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. As part of our observation of this important awareness campaign, we offer you an abbreviated version of the Department of Homeland Security's Stop*Think* Connect campaign Ten Steps to Smartphone Security.

1. Set PINS and passwords.
2. Do not modify your smartphone's security settings.
3. Backup and secure your data.
4. Only install apps from trusted sources.
5. Understand app permissions before accepting them.
6. Install security apps that enable remote location and wiping.
7. Accept updates and patches to your smartphone's software.
8. Be smart on open Wi-Fi networks.
9. Wipe data on your old phone before you donate, resell, or recycle it.
10. Report a stolen smartphone.

A smartphone is an important tool. Let it work for you by using it wisely.

#bladernnr Record Number of Page Views in September!

This site had a record number of page views in September 2014! With more than 1,500 page views, Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics organizers can see that students and teachers are taking advantage of the resources available here. Our goal is to post every (business) day of the BEST season, so bookmark this site so you have the latest information.

#bladernnr Don't Forget Game Q&A Site!

We recommend that each team designate someone to check the BEST Q&A site daily to keep up to date with any changes or clarifications regarding the game.

Here is the direct link to the site: http://best.eng.auburn.edu/cgi-bin/bestqna.pl

#bladernnr Field is Being Painted

The Bladerunner field components that weren't painted for Kick Off Day are being painted in preparation for Practice Day on October 28.

Get ready for a colorful and fun game field!

#bladernnr Marketing Presentations Schedule Posted

The schedule for marketing presentations has been made available both here and on the Team Resources section of this site.

Marketing Presentation Schedule

October 30, 2014

Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center

Rainsville, Alabama

 

Time	School
9:00	Cornerstone Christian Academy
9:30	Bridgeport Middle School
10:00	Woodville High School
10:30	Fort Payne High School
11:00	Brindlee Mountain Middle School
11:30	Marshall Technical School
12:00	Lunch Break
1:00	Ider High School
1:30	Fyffe High School
2:00	DeKalb Technical School
2:30	North Sand Mountain School
3:00	Pisgah High School

• Location – Agri-Business Center, Rainsville, Alabama in conjunction with Made in DeKalb Expo. Because this will take place as part of a marketing expo, there will be no place for teams to practice before they present to the judges. There will be a holding area where the next team will wait until their time to meet with the judges.
• A minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 students should actively participate in the presentation.
• Adults are not allowed to participate, including setting up or taking down equipment for the presentation.
• An audience of no more than 4 adults/coaches can sit in and watch or video the presentation. However, members of the audience are not allowed to interact or communicate with the team in any way. Any interaction between the audience and the team will result in a deduction from the team’s score. Also, numbers of guests may be limited, depending on guests from business and industry who may watch.
• Teams will have access to a computer & projector with internet access. However, teams may choose to bring their own laptop/projector for the presentation.
• Be sure to double check the Awards and Judging Policies and the marketing presentation score sheets for specific information regarding your presentation.

#bladernnr New Documents Posted to Team Resources

Happy Monday, BEST teams! New documents have been posted to the Team Resources section of the website. These resources include 42 Days of BEST, Marketing Presentations schedule and Practice Day schedule.

Teachers: Please remember to update your roster as you add or subtract students from your team. If you add someone to your team we will need a signed consent form.

#bladernnr Practice Day Schedule Announced

Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics has announced the schedule for practice day.

Practice Day Schedule

October 28, 2014

Jackson County Fairgrounds

Scottsboro, Alabama

 

Time
	Team #1	Team #2	Team # 3
8:30-9:30	DeKalb County Technology Center	Woodville High School	Ider High School
9:30-10:30	Bridgeport Middle	Cornerstone Christian Academy	Boaz Middle School
10:30-11:30	Brindlee Mountain Middle	North Sand Mountain
11:30-12:30	Marshall Technical School	Pisgah High School
12:30-1:30	Fyffe High School	Fort Payne High School

 

·         Project Engineering Notebooks are due at Practice Day. Each team must submit their notebooks no later than 2:00 pm on October 28, 2014.

·         Please remember the Team Demographic Form that is required to be in your Engineering Notebook.

·         Each team will receive one hour to practice on the game field.

·         Lunch is not provided on practice day.

·         Practice day is part of the CEO Expo. Teams are encouraged to come early and stay late to participate in the Expo events and watch other teams practice.