What is a robotics mentor?

It is an adult who is willing to work with team members to help them learn and do their jobs. They may have special knowledge in one or more areas that they can share. They are teachers, they are shadow leadership, they are friends. The best mentors have an interest in robotics, like working with teens, handle stress/pressure well and have time to give.

The hardest part about being a mentor is resisting the temptation to do too much. It is so much fun that it can be hard to control those itchy fingers that want to get doing, and take a step back and guide the team members through the work. Especially during the build when time is CRITICAL!

There are two main categories of mentors: Technical or "Engineering" and non-engineering. Most mentors help in more than one area. If you are interested in being a mentor, contact a team near you (Check out FIRST or search the Internet to find teams). To learn more about ways to participate read all the information below, or go to these specific mentoring areas: Mechanical  Electrical   Programming  Marketing & Money   Business & Support  Special Competitions

Technical Mentors

Technical mentors predominately work in three areas: Mechanical, Electrical and Programming. All three areas wind up overlapping and having to integrate its parts with the others.

Mechanical mentors work primarilly on the physical structure of the robot. They help teach design principles and guide the design process by pointing out potential problems or suggesting ideas or materials to solve problems. They help the team build the mechanical and/or pneumatic parts and integrate it with the electrical systems. They may pick up/purchase materials, or help collect donations of materials.

Electrical mentors work primarilly on the power and control systems of the robot. Most robots use electric motors and servos for motion and then there are the computer system, sensors, switches, radio controls and more which need to be installed and tested.

Programming mentors work on programs for controlling the robot. They often have to work closely with the Electrical mentors to be sure that the physical components will work with the program.

Non-Engineering Mentors

The non-engineering mentors help with all other aspects of the program. They are the support and administration group. They help with fundraising, organizing, recruiting, travel arrangements, presentations/advertising, web pages, recruiting, animations, accounting, finding sponsors or grants, record-keeping, branding, 'spirit', safety and everything else that makes a successful team.

Non-Technical mentors predominately work in three areas: Marketing & Money, Business & Support and Special Competitions. All areas usually wind up overlapping and many non-technical mentors help with multiple areas, including technical work.

A five foot tall robot costs a lot of money, so does traveling with 20 teens and some mentors to Atlanta for nationals. Marketing & Money handling is a major area where non-engineering mentors help the team. They can teach accounting, budgeting and record-keeping so that funds are handled properly. They can help team members plan and do fundraising activities. They can help team members create presentations to give to potential sponsors or research possible grants. They can help with 'advertising' the team through news articles, web sites, community outreach and branding.

Non-technical mentors also provide Business & General Support for the team members and technical mentors in a variety of ways. They can help teach organization and administrative skills, helping members to create team plans, mission statements, rules, forms, etc. They can help provide food for long work days during the build or at competitions. They can help arrange and/or provide transportation or make travel arrangements. Team spirit can involve mentors helping design or order t-shirts or competition items such as buttons, signs, costumes, etc. They may also help team members with recruiting new members and training.

Non-technical mentors can also help with Special Competitions. There are special awards for things other than the robots, such as animations or safety or websites. Mentors can help team members that are interested in working in these areas.