#paydirt2015 BEST Part of National Manufacturing Day

Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics will be part of the celebration of National Manufacturing (MFG) Day this year. MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

Supported by a group of industry sponsors and co-producers, MFG DAY is designed to amplify the voice of individual manufacturers and coordinate a collective chorus of manufacturers with common concerns and challenges. The rallying point for a growing mass movement, MFG DAY empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.

Sponsors include:

• Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International 
• National Association of Manufacturers
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 Look for other MFG Day events at the MFG Day site. 

 The link to the BEST site is here.

#paydirt2015 Sponsor Spotlight: Fort Payne Improvement Authority

We are excited to announce that Fort Payne Improvement Authority is once again committed as a sponsor of Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics. Not only do they keep the lights on in Fort Payne, they help to support the work of BEST Robotics, making participation available at no cost to local schools. A sponsor since 2013, thanks to FPIA for their continued support!

#paydirt2015 Kick Off Schedule Announced

Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics has announced details for Kick Off Day 2015, which will take place on Saturday, September 26 at the Tom Bevill Lyceum on the campus of Northeast Alabama Community College. Unlike previous years there will be no breakout workshop sessions on Kick Off Day. Instead, those workshops will be offered at Technical Training Day on September 30.

The general session will include topics of interest to everyone. The schedule for Kick Off Day is shown below.

Kick Off Day

Location:   Tom Bevill Lyceum, Northeast Alabama Community College

8:00                      Registration Open

(All teams should be registered and seated by 8:25 am)

8:15                      Theatre Doors Open

8:30                      Opening Session – Kick Off of 2015 BEST Robotics

9:00                      General Session:

·        Game Explanation/Scoring

·        Organizing Your Team

·        42 Days of BEST

·        BEST Award Rules and Scoring

Location: Industrial Systems Technology Building, NACC Campus

11:00                    Kit Pick Up and Field Viewing (Each team gets 15 minutes on the field)

#paydirt2015 Sponsor Spotlight: Berry & Dunn Office Equipment

Berry and Dunn Office Equipment, with locations in Rainsville, Fort Payne and Scottsboro, has been a sponsor of Northeast Alabama BEST Robotics from its inception in 2012. We thank them for their continued support of BEST!

#paydirt2015 Pisgah High School is Registered!

We are pleased that the team from Pisgah High School has registered, giving us a total of 16 teams for this year!

#paydirt2015 Fyffe HS is Registered

We are pleased to announce that Fyffe High School is registered for BEST Robotics 2015! Always a powerhouse, the team from FHS will be a contender! Welcome to Mrs. Parris and her team.

#Paydirt2015 Kits Are Ready!

The returnable kits are ready to be issued on kick off day, which will be here before we know it!
There are a few changes in the kits this year, including:

• programming hardware kit has been replaced with a USB cable
• new motion kit has replaced old skate wheel and belt and pulley kit

Also, look for minor changes in the consumable kit, which will be discussed on kick off day.

Speaking of kick off day, look for changes in the format of that day's schedule also. More details coming soon...