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 | $10,000 - $14,999 |
|
| Platinum | $5,000 - $9,999 |
|
| Gold | $2,500 - $4,999 |
|
| Silver | $1,000 - $2,499 |
|
| Bronze | $500 - $999 |
|
| BEST Friends | $500 |
|
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
Avera | Bartlett and West | Daktronics | Falcon Plastics | Michaels Energy | Northwestern Energy | 3M
Poet | Valley Queen | Heartland
2021
Avera | Bartlett and West | Daktronics | Falcon Plastics | Lowes | Michaels Energy
Northwestern Energy | Omnitech | 3M | Xcel Energy | Poet | Valley Queen | Xcel Energy
Heartland | East River Electric
2018
Architecture, Inc. | Avera | Bartlett and West | Basin Electric Power | Brookings Economic Development
CITI | Daktronics | East River Power Coop | ESI | Falcon Plastics | First Bank and Trust
First Premier | KPI-JCI | Lowes | Malloy | Michaels Energy | Northwestern Energy | Omnitech
OtterTail Power | Raven Industries | Sanford Health | SDN Communications | Sparton | 3M
Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy
2017
Architecture, Inc. | Army ROTC | Avera | Bartlett and West | Brookings Economic Development | CITI
Crossfire | Daktronics | East River Power Coop | ESI | Falcon Plastics | First Bank and Trust
First Premier | KPI-JCI | Lowes | Malloy | Michaels Energy | Northwestern Energy | Omnitech
OtterTail Power | Raven Industries | Sanford Health | SDN Communications | Sparton | 3M
Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy
2016
Architecture, Inc. | Army ROTC | Avera | CITI | Daktronics | East River Power Coop | ESI
Falcon Plastics | First Bank and Trust | First Premier | KPI-JCI | Lowes | Malloy
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
Daktronics | East River Power Coop | ESI | First Bank and Trust | First Premier | Lowes
MDA_STEM | Northwestern Energy | Sanford Health | Sideline Productions | Sioux Corporation
3M | Vision Brookings | Xcel Energy
2014
Avera | Keith Bartels | Bartlett-West | Brookings Rent All | Daktronics | East River Power Coop
ESI | First Bank and Trust | First Premier | IBM | Northwestern Energy | Premier Source
SAIC | Sanford Health | Greg Stredronsky | 3M | TV Productions | TSP | Sideline Productions
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
Avera | Century Link | Dakota Tuff Shelter | Daktronics | First Premier | General Mills
Lowes | Northwestern Energy | Premier Source | reCom, Inc. | TV Productions
Vision Brookings | Wells Fargo | Xcel Energy