Re: Mentors on drive team
 

When I woke up this morning I was feeling really good. But after reading these posts I feel real old and now realize that:

1) I have slow reflexes.
2) I can no longer process multiple streams of information.
3) I can no longer communicate with the youth of America.
4) I can no longer see the little things that are important.

Anyone know of a good retirement home?

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

Probably from years of learning how to process multiple streams by playing video games...

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

As far as I know, our team has always had a student coach. It's because, for our team, the head driver works better with a student as opposed to a mentor. In my experience the senior members of the team that usually fill the role of coach do the job just fine, even though they might not have as much experience as the mentors do.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

I am sorry if I am offending anyone. I have never been on driveteam, and the closest I have gotten is two years of pit crew during eliminations. My opinions are going based off of my team's philosophy as well as what I have heard from the drive team for the past few years.

I never meant to insinuate that every team should change to a student coach, I was just trying to point out a few benefits. Granted, some of them may be a stretch. (I could link you to the studies that show that video games make people see more)

I would also like to point out, that most students are currently in class right now, so this is almost a one sided argument.

As for the banners, no, we do not have the banners to prove anything. Our team has been getting consistently better(except last year Midwest). This year is probably going to be our best year yet based on our progress so far.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

Someone should PM Raul that if he wants another championship his coaching experience is useless because he's slow and old. I think he'd get a kick out of it. :rolleyes:

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

The "old", adult coaches are creating relationships with students that are invaluable. Making another peer level friend isn't that life changing for a student, but achieving the same level with a professional level adult will have a big impact on student's lives.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

Mr. Oliveria is at your regional. You should go up and talk to him sometimes. He's a really smart engaging guy (just not before a match). I think you'd walk away pretty impressed with how much he knows.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

Sometimes it doesn't hurt to rehash a topic like this every....single....year... but must of what needs to be said about it can be found here...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=77390

or here....

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=67426

^ That thread in particular a lot of respected minds weigh in.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

(If you cared about the subject strongly enough to provide such a link, I would counter with a link to the studies that show that video games make people less capable of focusing on a task.)

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

Skierkiewitz will see it sooner or later, and let Raul know, so they can both have a chuckle.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

like homework.:p

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

I in no way think that student coaches are necessarily better then adult mentors as far as performance goes, but I do believe it should be a student on the drive team and here's why.
"Mission

Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership." (emphasis mine)

Not to say anything against mentors but this program is truly for the students. Being on the field is an incredible experience and students should be the only ones down there.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

Team 422 is a top-down, student-driven experience. The mentors are there to prod us on to think, design, build, and test, but we take a lot of pride in the fact that it is our machine. The mentors on our team wouldn't even want to be coaches, I reckon. Last year, we had a freshman, two sophomores, and a junior. (we had a dearth of seniors). This year will probably be one of each.

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

The point of FIRST is inspire by having students working with and alongside mentors. What could be more inspiring than the direct connection between an adult coach and a student drive team?

Re: Mentors on drive team
 

I know much has been said on this topic but I must to weigh in. I applaud the concept of student built, student driven and mentor inspired. Team 1098 follows this concept in everything we do.

We believe that FRC is about the student experience. We look to enhance that by enabling the student with knowledge and practical examples.

Go RockBots!