Teacher’s To-Do List

We recommend you follow this guide of tasks that need to be completed before and at Frontier Trails BEST.

#1 – Complete the Team Information Form on the www.uafortsmith.edu/FTBEST web site immediately after your local competition and fax it to the number on the form. The contact person will be emailed their Team ID and Access Code to enable them to select their team’s Presentation, Picture, Display Judging , and Robot Check-In times by using the “Schedule and Registration” left navigation highlight on the FTBEST web site.

#2 – Mail your Project Notebook to the address on the Team Information Form.

#3 – Make your hotel and travel arrangements using the Hotel Information on the www.uafortsmith.edu/FTBEST web site. If you’re booking a bus, be sure to check with the company about how long the driver can be on duty without having to take a break. Many states have laws regarding driving-time limitations for bus drivers.

#4 - Sign-Up for Thursday Night Mixer using contact information provided. This is free to all advancing teams arriving early.

#5 – Lion Treks Sign-up (optional campus tours) – Information and sign up will be available at the Registration desk.

#6 – In planning ahead for Frontier Trails BEST, consider these issues:

A. Notebook – download and read the Championship Notebook carefully and even make copies for other key people, particularly noting the information found in Pit Protocol and Information and the General Information and Important Notes sections.

B. Determine one adult who will be responsible for receiving any emergency phone calls that may occur from home while your team is at Frontier Trails BEST. Provide that person’s cell number to parents, other school officials, and others. There is no University of Arkansas – Fort Smith official at the Fort Smith Convention Center or the Stubblefield Center who can take such calls. In addition, a medical release form signed by parent or guardian, in your possession, in case emergency medical treatment is necessary.

C. Friday Night Dinner/Keynote Speaker – each team must submit the number of students, teachers, mentors, and family members attending for planning purposes. Please email this information to lmyers@uafortsmith.edu no later than 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2008. The Friday night dinner will be held in the Fort Smith Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B & C at 7:00 p.m. A special guest speaker will address the gathering after dinner. The evening event will end at 9:00 p.m.

D. Pit Meeting – Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. there will be a mandatory meeting in the seating area near the Pit Area of the Stubblefield Center for everyone who plans to be in the Pit on Saturday so that we can go over Pit protocol and information. This meeting is intended to cut down on any confusion in the Pit, given that there will be 40 teams. Be sure to pass this along to EVERYONE (students, teachers, and mentors) who should be there.

E. Best T-Shirt Design Award – Teams wishing to compete for this award should submit one team t-shirt and design explanation to the Registration Desk in the Fort Smith Convention Center by 3:00 p.m. Friday. T-shirts may be picked up at the Registration Desk in the Stubblefield Center AFTER 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

H. Frontier Trails BEST Conclusion – We are mindful that we have many teams from far away that need to get on-the-road as soon as possible afterwards. We assure you we are conscious of this in putting together the schedule and will do everything possible to stick to it. However, “stuff happens” and that doesn’t always work.