Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Team RUSH (FRC27) of Clarkston High School, Michigan is looking for 2-3 FIRST experienced mentors. We are looking to add mentor volunteers with a variety of backgrounds and skills, Electrical, Electronic, Controls, Mechanical, Fundraising, team organization and Media.
If you’re in our area and interested or have questions about mentoring students through the challenges of the FIRST program Please email : drhughes27@gmail.com

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Man I wished I lived in Michigan!

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I lived in Michigan for 14 years - never even heard of FIRST until several years after I left.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

It snows there.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

all the better!

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

What does it pay?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

As long as you have mountains to ski, its all good! :)

If you don't plan to use the snow for recreational activities.... stay in CA where it is warm!!!!

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Except there are no mountains or skiing in Michigan...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

You'd be surprised... there's some pretty great ski hills around here.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Eh, I've always found snow makes driving more fun. :)

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

It makes it much easier to do doughnuts, of which I do not condone.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

This thread makes me think about something, beyond the funny comments that don't really pertain to the original post. Is there a place where a team can say what their needs are in terms of mentors or a possible mentor can post their skills so that the two can be matched? I feel like this would be tremendously helpful for a lot of teams.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I am really fond of that idea. A pseudoMatch.com for teams on one side, and mentors on the other. Can this be started on chief?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Cool, but what we really need is a venue to draw in new mentors from outside the world of FIRST.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

There is one. There's a subforum under Team Organization entitled "Finding a Team".

Oddly enough, FRC27 has a thread from a couple years ago where they were looking for a few mentors. You all aren't mentored by college students, are you?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

This exists.

http://www.mentorsearch.us/

The problem is getting people to use it. There are also similar services on other FIRST sites and other team sites. Again, people just aren't aware enough.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Hard to use when registration is disabled. :rolleyes:

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I feel like sites like this are very difficult to make used by a lot of people, a team can literally post on CD once a week about a site like this, advertise at all their events, tell everyone they know about it, and they will only have reached like 1/20th of FIRST and how many of those people will actually be paying attention?

I think usFIRST.org should have this function on their website, feels like a nobrainer considering that is the place FIRST sends people outside of FIRST that are trying to get involved.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Pretty much how I found my current team. I looked for local teams on the website and just guessed which one needed help. My team had a good website and I was able to contact another mentor. Certainly made the transition to a new team easier.

Adding this function to the FIRST website would have made my search a lot easier.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Its old. Seems the team/person who ran it has moved on after little traffic to the site.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I don't think you understand, it just stopped snowing like 3 weeks ago, no joke, it was snowing a little

We have like 2ft of snow for my op north house and our 4wd truck is pretty much the only thing that can get up our drive way

And the lakes are cold for another 2 months... But then we have nice warm summers to look forward to

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I don't do doughnuts... at least not in my car, which is fwd... but my friends car on the other hand... :D

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I stood in Lake Michigan a few weeks ago. A bit chilly, but I was supposed to be kicking a cold before a competition the next weekend so I didn't get too wet. I can't wait for it to be warmer. Good camping there in the dunes along the shore.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Building robots in January through March makes the winter here goes really fast. By the way, we build robots indoor, unlike teams that are in warm weather. Oh, please stop posting videos of how you build and test your robots outside.

There are many benefits living in Michigan. Should we start a top 10 list? I am going to start it off with one.

1) You don't have to do yard work 12 months in a year.


Kyle, I am not hijacking your thread. I am trying to keep it alive. I hope you find the mentors you need.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Here is a thought:
FIRST experienced mentors can train prospective mentors (graduated FRC team members), parents (both current students and graduated students). Some of the parents help teams when their kids are in the team. After kids graduate some of them stay with the team and some not. If we can retain some, if not all parents and train them (if necessary) FIRST can build a pool of mentors. Training can include past experience, post-season analysis, what worked and what not, how the system can be improved and what not. Also these mentors can join teams that have no mentor or barely any mentor. Being loyal to a team is great, but if new mentors can branch out to chart their own destiny and take deserving teams to new heights would be great, great for themselves, for the team and FIRST.

By the way, Team 4384 from Troy MI is still looking for mentors with mechanical background or experience in FRC. Visit our website www.team4384.org for contact.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

2) The Great Lakes. They are like oceans, except no sharks.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

2B) ...and they are salt-free, which makes them drinkable, (but you should still filter it) and it's easy to open your eyes underwater.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

3C) And they don't spawn thunderstorms and severe weather

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Expect it's always cold....

I mean sure 80 degrees weather and cold water is nice but water that is 45 degrees, now that's not cool. Ha :rolleyes:

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

3C-2) In fact they actually act as a sort of a buffer to most severe weather.


You just have to wait till August - September for them to be warmer (except Lake Superior, which is always cold). And of course it's not like we have a shortage of warmer inland lakes.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I hear that it is a great place to have a picnic if summer falls on a weekend.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Unless you live in Buffalo, or other lake effect snow areas... then its quite a different story

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

FYI: Buffalo is not in MI

If you really love snow, MI upper peninsula is the place, especially around Houghton (home to Michigan Tech), which receives around 350" snow every year! In summer its like heaven!;)

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

My freshman year up there (winter of 03/04) it snowed for 33 days straight. Plus I think its closer to 280 inches on average, unless you go further up the peninsula.

4) Only state east of the Mississippi where you can drive for 14 hours (at 60 mph) and still be in the same state.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Okay Michiganders, let's concentrate on the positives. We are trying to convince FRC mentors to move here, not scare them away with snow stories. Come on, I am sure there are more than 3 reasons. How about these

4) You got to play with or against teams (depending on your luck) like 33, 67 and 469 and many other good teams a lot.

5) MSC is insane, enough said. You don't have to travel to Michigan just to watch it. You can be part of it.

6) Just got this from FIRST in Michigan. This year 249 people volunteered at more than one competition event.

7) Just in case you need a day job to pay the bills so you can do what you really like, there are plenty of good paying engineering jobs in Michigan.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Not to mention that RUSH is a great team to work with! I had the privilege of being a mentor with RUSH for a few years before I was able to start my own team, and I had a great time while I was with them. I learned so much about what it means to be a FIRST Robotics team from them...so much of the success of my current team can be attributed to things I learned while working with RUSH.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Well, this thread got derailed quickly.

I think it's sad that a team like RUSH (my own team, while I was in high school) needs mentors. RUSH is an exceptional team with an exceptional group of students year after year, and I think anyone interested should at least give it a shot. RUSH has a very interesting outlook on FIRST and I think it benefits the students a lot.

I know my senior year a lot of the team was student-lead because of a lack of full time mentors. Yes, college students come back to help (I tried to as well) but it isn't always easy to find time between academic and family priorities.

Best of luck to RUSH. I'll be watching, even if I can't come and help.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

While yes, none of the discussion is really relevant to RUSH, it is helping keep it at the top of the portal, increasing the number of people who hopefully see it.



And while I'm interested, and located near by (Live in Flint, and work in Auburn Hills), I'm not sure I can offer enough time to be helpful. I'd love to get involved with RUSH and see how they function, but I'm not sure I'll be able to make that time commitment, especially when I have a hard time making the commitment with my existing team.

And while we're at it, I'm not sure I have the knowledge base they're looking for...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Maybe I'm missing something here, but how does a team like 27 RUSH, who just won the Chairman's Award at MSC, "need" 2-3 mentors? You guys were at Livonia with us and you had more adults wearing team shirts than my entire team!

If you guys need mentors, what chances does a team like mine have?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

It's an ugly fact that many teams, especially the new ones desperately in need of mentors. I know Team 4384 is struggling to rope in a mechanical background mentor, I don't believe they have one.

I hate to bring this up, but no means referring to Team RUSH, many a times for receiving awards all parents join the team, even if they have not stopped by workshop for an hour! Not blaming them, but just remind you that what you see may be too far from truth!

oops almost forgot this...
8) Michigan is great coz great leaders like Mr. Ed make it their home

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

You don't quite have the same perspective as I do, and I understand that you may be frustrated by the idea that such a highly regarded team "needs" help. Rather than "needing" help, this year was the most frustrating year for many teams, but for us it was especially taxing. Overall, this year, by both Mrs. Hughes, our team captain, and our lead engineering mentor, it's been considered as tough a year for us as was 1998. Personally, I couldn't go into detail about that year, but that year was a very, very tough year for the mentors and students, in part that the build site was very cold, making build season absolutely miserable.

This year, with only a couple full-time mentors, our robot was left without us knowing if it would even move on stop build day. The first day of Northern Lights, we proved that we could move, and we put on our shooter, in a unique position right on top of where we were going to have a 30pt climb, and we had to seriously rebound to achieve the success we achieved at the following competitions. (We've even got a 5-hour time lapse of that first day of northern Lights in our pits here). We've had an unusually high amount of drama, which has been taxing on many of the members on the teams, taking away time from focusing on our larger goals.

Actually, 75% of our mentors are either alum or parents of alum and students. We're very lucky to have many of them, and they have really been integral to making this past year such a success. Unfortunately, at the same time, we've lost many mentors to time and jobs. Two years ago, we lost Anthony, one of our most important technical mentors, who left us for his job at NASA, down in Texas (who's now mentoring 118 with another alum).

Additionally, this year, the Programming SubTeam had to be very independent. Last year we had some help and were able to work from literally no knowledge of programming a robot and poorly created code, to a Eliminations worthy robot at the Championships. This year, we had no definite Programming mentor, but we were able to, with the knowledge of WPI's vision code from last year, develop code to track frisbees on the ground, seen here(It's running on our T-shirt cannon; our drive train wasn't finished until later in the season). It was quite a cool sight, our chassis following discs like a trail of breadcrumbs.

It was very similar, this year, when I wrote our Scouting App. Last year had some code worth looking at, but I had to learn, starting 4 weeks into build season(I had a high priority before then), all about Objective C, with only some knowledge of Java. And then I had to create a working model before Northern Lights, so that I could focus my sights elsewhere, and help with our Chairman's Presentation. Fortunately, we developed a backup system, so when the relatively untested iPad app failed us, our backup system stepped in and, with a gigantic effort by one of our students, we had effective scouting data which made me feel much better about the situation. Eventually, I was able to bring it up to a suitable, bug-free state that achieved the minimum we needed, and we'll be working to make it even better as summer comes around.

So, this year has been a year that truly fit two of our sayings: Never Give Up and Fail Faster, Learn More, Focus, And Execute. This year, we lost some very strong leadership in our seniors from last year, and we've lost mentorship that we once had. But we didn't give up, when we knew there were spots to be filled. This year's seniors had to step up for the team, as well as others, and we all did, and we made sure this year wasn't going to fall short of where we wanted to be. This year, we had failures. We lost mentorship, but we made up for it in leadership, and everyone learned. Through each competition, we slowly creeped up to the top, focusing and executing on smaller levels, whilst learning so much each and ever day. Champs came around, and it was go time. No time for sitting around, we gave it everything we had, and it didn't matter who Walt P. Havenstein gave the CCA to. It didn't matter that we made it to CMP eliminations for the 10th+ time in a row, and still have never made it out of our division. We achieved what we wanted to, and we're OK with that.

We're looking for mentorship not because we want to be the team that's the best to ever have existed, but rather to reach a point where we can help other teams as we have been doing, through our 6 part sustainability system, such as your team. Just because almost all of our parents wear RUSH shirts, means that we're very strongly supported by our community and our family. We integrate everyone we're connected to into our team, so we can be sustainable. Many of our parents stopped in during build season and contributed a lot towards the team, becoming part time, if not for all intents and purposes, full time mentors, when we've never asked them to.

Keep in mind that this is but my own perspective, and not representative of Team RUSH as a whole. My passion for the team knows no bounds, and this year has been the biggest learning experience I've ever had, of which I will be forever indebted to the rest of the team, students and mentors alike.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

You have a chance. You can start a "313 needs mentors" thread if you want to. There may be people willing to help.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Link to find a team for mentors who are looking -


http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-on

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Except snow

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

This may come as a shock to you but many parents on 27 wear team shirts. As do many alumni. I know, even when I was on the team, we always seemed short a few technical mentors (and it was a much smaller team in my day).

Besides, are you really familiar enough with the team to make this claim?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

What claim? I simply asked a question, and even started out with "Maybe I'm missing something here". 27 (from the outside) looks like the definition of a healthy, functioning, FRC team. I mean, they won a friggen' Chairman's award at the State level this year. That's got to mean something. And yes, more 27 adults were wearing team shirts than my whole team.
Sooo... yes, I feel I can make those two claims.?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Seems logical to me. You merely stated several facts.

I think almost ANY team can benefit from more mentors. Asking for more help certainly doesn't show any "signs of weakness" on 27's part. You can do well on and off the field without a large quantity of technically savvy mentors, but it certainly helps to have more. The more mentors you have, the stress and workload is better divided, students get more 1 on 1 guidance and everybody benefits. :)

Very well put, Navid.

Adding on to what you are saying, mentors should be on teams for inspiring the students. With more guidance, students are able to get more professional level experiences, and that truly allows for inspiration.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I think it's the third claim that he was annoyed at. A claim that wasn't stated--but a claim that seemed to be there. Whether it was intended to be or not, I do not attempt to answer.

This is what I read from the initial post--this may not actually be what was meant to be said, but it can be interpreted from what was said--particularly the part where "need" was in quotes.

He was claiming, though by implication rather than by outright saying it, that 27 didn't need mentors (claim 3, implied) because they a) had more adults than your whole team (claim 1), and b) they won the DCA, so they must be the definition of a healty, functioning FRC team (claim 2).

I will grant that claim 1 and claim 2 are observed facts--though, as pointed out, claim 1 is subject to the caveat that most of the adults probably are NOT mentors (I suspect that the parent/student ratio would be roughly at 2:1 at the event if it was their home event, or within reasonable range). Claim 2 has a few possible counter-examples, but I think the best is that it's possible to win a Chairman's with a less-than-optimal team for your situation as you see it. (NOTE: I did say it was possible, but I do not claim that any team has ever had that or done that, primarily because I can't see the way any other team does.)

However, I submit this for everybody's consideration: Neither of those two claims carries any validity to the underlying implied claim that 27 does not need mentors. This is because every team is different. Now, if it had been claimed that because of those two prior claims, his team could use a few mentors to help you compete at that level, I might actually agree... after suggesting that such a proposition does not necessarily follow logically from the prior claims in that case either.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

A lot of implications derived from a very small initial post. Don't read into it too much...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Two separate 27 mentors and alumni seem to have seen--and responded to--the "third claim" I referred to. The poster didn't understand what claim the second one was referring to (later post); I merely pointed out the claim, and that the observations (and their possible alternate explanations) don't logically support it.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

The claim I was referring to was indeed exactly what Eric mentioned. There are any number of reasons why observed facts (more adults than other teams/winning DCA) do not support the implication that more mentors are not needed to achieve team goals.

Continuing the train of thought from that claim is the problem.
"You guys are doing well, you have enough mentors" is a dangerous line of thought for a couple reasons.

How many students are on 27? What is the mentor/student ratio? Maybe there are students who have interests that the team is not currently "staffed" to support. Our job as mentors is to ensure our students have the opportunity to follow their passions.

The bigger issue, though, is that it reeks of "good enough". It implies they are doing well, they don't need more. And I admit, I have some pretty strongly held beliefs on the phrase "good enough"...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I really wish everyone would just calm down. It's a shame that CD can so quickly become a cesspool of negative energy in such a short period of time.

Yes, people make mistakes. Yes, people may intentionally or unintentionally offend others, but it makes me think about why I come here...

I come here to seek knowledge and to hopefully impart some in turn.

It's just unfortunate to see everyone resorting to these kinds of interactions.

Please take a moment to think about the ramifications of all posts, regardless of who you are, or what you are posting about.

It's even easier to comport one's self in a gracious and professional manner online. Take the time to review, edit and re-think.

I personally respect and value everyone's opinion here, and I merely suggest that we all endeavor to do the same.

Take time to perhaps teach, enlighten and inspire, rather than to attack, berate or rebuke.

I wish 27 the best of luck, and I think that everyone here hopes to see their continued success as well.

Thanks for your consideration
-N

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

If every team that needed mentors did that, it would probably comprise over 50% of the threads here.
I would love to post one for us too, but I think if every team did, it would become white noise.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

What we are asking for is a few technical mentors is because in the past couple years we have lost a few technical mentors. We are able to function good as a team and get a robot done with our students leading it up, but it would be great to have some more experience so our students are guided well when they need it.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I highlighted "it would become". That means you think that it's not white noise currently. That implies that it's a great time to post a request for mentors before it becomes white noise.

Seriously, if you need help, why not ask? It couldn't hurt.

I don't know if you noticed, but my information shows that I live in Canton yet I'm on team 51 in Pontiac. I drive close to an hour each way to work with that team, yet I have no affiliation with GM, Delphi, Pontiac Schools, or any of their sponsors. At one point in time team 65 needed some mentor help in my area of expertise and they asked if I could help them out. I decided that year to help them out, and this year was my 9th year with the team.

Worst case, people ignore your request for help. If that happens, then so what? On the other hand, you might just find to help you need.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

TEAM 3641 in South Lyon, Mi is looking for mentors too! And Sponsors! And....

And we are located with in driving distance to some ski hills....and it gets cold too! (Had to scrape windows this morning).

theflyingtoasters.org

weberr@slcs.us

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

This won't encourage people to come with work Michigan teams. Heck, it discourages me from living in Michigan. :P

Seriously. It's the middle of May. I don't want frost on my car. Or the windchill making it 29 this morning. In May.

Just...no...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Team 3175 would love mentors. We only have two non-coach mentors, and only one comes on a regular basis. We would love mentors for CAD, Programming, Mechanical, Fundraising, etc. We are located in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Guess what..that tiny frost brought 2,500 m^3 of fresh water into our GREAT Lakes! This should be an incentive for good many!:D

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I'm with Kimmeh here, frost in the middle of May is way too late into spring. That tiny frost did nothing to add to the great lakes, nor did it add to the comfort of my car in the morning.



Please, for the love of god please, fix your grammar.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I'll trade you, Florida hit 90+ over the weekend. My AC broke :(

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Hey Schreiber, you're the one who chose to leave Michigan... This morning was 45º!

And then tomorrow's high is 80º. Sure you don't miss our bipolar weather? :D