Becoming a Sponsor

STEM Education is critical to workforce development. To compete in global marketplace, we must have an educated workforce of problem solvers and innovators who are:

Self-reliant and enthusiastic
Technologically proficient
Able to think logically
Able to communicate effectively

Strengthening K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education is critical to the development of such a workforce. Involvement of all stakeholders is vital in:

K-12 school systems
Colleges and universities
Science education organizations
Business and industry
Government
Parents

Key Issues

STEM occupations are increasing, but student interest is not!
"Boomer" generation retiring in record numbers, leaving critical shortage of qualified workers to replace them!
Shortage of workers affects industries trying to expand
High school graduates need STEM competencies that are required in the workforce!

BEST Robotics is an Education and Industry Coalition to:

Improve students' understanding of STEM
Increase interest in STEM with innovative programs that help students develop critical skills needed for high-tech, high-demand occupations
Ensure high school graduates are prepared for the rigor of study in engineering, science and mathematics programs needed in collegiate level academics
Promote high-tech, well-paying jobs and ensure that future workforce needs are met by providing unlimited promotional opportunities for companies to work side-by-side with students as team mentors for BEST schools
Increase students' access to real world experiences in STEM
Provide students with excitement and challenges that real world STEM careers offer

Sponsorship

Financial contributions are very important to our program. Corporations, organizations and individuals wishing to sponsor the program can obtain more information by emailing Dr. Rajesh Kavasseri, Interim Dean of Engineering.

Corporate

Level	Gift Amount	Recognition
Premier	$15,000	Diamond recognition level plus: "Sponsored by" status in all advertising for the hub Company name or logo on event T-Shirts, etc.
Diamond	$10,000 - $14,999	Platinum recognition level plus: Company name or logo on event T-Shirts, etc.
Platinum	$5,000 - $9,999	Gold recognition level plus: Company-provided banner hung in arena Appreciation plaque (replaces certificate)
Gold	$2,500 - $4,999	Level recognition in game day program and on website Company-provided ad in game day program Appreciation certificate
Silver	$1,000 - $2,499	Level recognition in game day program and on website Company-provided ad in game day program
Bronze	$500 - $999	Level recognition in game day program and on website
BEST Friends	$500	Level recognition in game day program

Individual

We also welcome individuals to contribute to the program. Here's how your donation can make a difference.

Contribution	Your Impact
$10	Lunch for a BEST Student Most of us spend $10 on lunch without blinking an eye. Why not skip lunch one day and donate that $10 to the education of a future scientist, engineer or mathematician?
$50	A Week's Worth of Lunches Spending $10 for lunch is not uncommon for many of us. Why not skip lunch this week and donate your lunch money to inspire a student to study engineering, science and technology.
$80	One Student's Participation The average cost per participating student in the BEST Robotics program is less than $80. Your gift of $80 ensures that one more student can enjoy an incredible hands-on learning opportunity.
$250	One Team's Consumable Kit Each team receives a kit of consumable raw materials such as plywood, PVC, metals and plastics, miscellaneous hardware and electrical items, etc., which they use to make their robot. This "consumable kit" costs about $250. Your gift enables one team to have the raw materials needed to build their robot.
$600	One Team's Robot Control System Each team receives a robot control system that provides the basic programming, radio control and motor/servo control for their robot. We reuse these control system kits year after year to keep our costs low. This "returnable kit" costs a hub about $600 per team and is expected to last at least 3 years. Your gift enables one team to have the control system needed to build their robot.
$1000	Approximate Cost for One Team's Participation The average annual cost for a hub to host a BEST contest is about $1000 per participating team. Your donation would provide the money needed for a consumable kit, robot control system and event materials/printing costs for one team's participation.

For more information about the national organization, visit the BEST Robotics Inc website.

Thank you to our sponsors

2022

Poet | Valley Queen | Heartland

2021

Heartland | East River Electric

2018

Architecture, Inc. | Avera | Bartlett and West | Basin Electric Power | Brookings Economic Development

Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy

2017

Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy

2016

Northwestern Energy | Raven Industries | SDN Communications | Sideline Productions

Sioux Corporation | 3M | Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy

2015

Architecture, Inc. | Army ROTC | Avera | Bartlett-West | Brookings Convention Visitors Bureau

MDA_STEM | Northwestern Energy | Sanford Health | Sideline Productions | Sioux Corporation

3M | Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy

2014

Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy

2013

Avera | Brookings Rent All | Dakota Tuff Shelter | Daktronics | First Bank and Trust

First Premier | Larson Manufacturing | Lowes | Northwestern Energy | Premier Source

Sparton | 3M | TV Productions | Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy

2012

Lowes | Northwestern Energy | Premier Source | reCom, Inc. | TV Productions

Vision Brookings | Wells Fargo | Xcel Energy