[DCA Fan]

Hi Kevin,

I'll try to address some of those questions that you had.

1. Sponsors. The NASA grant will be a great start, the paperwork can be used for showing big corporations your goals. I'd hit up the local defense contractors (Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Aerospace Corp, etc). Also don't forget to hit up local restaurants, I'm sure they'd be willing to donate a meal or two during build season. For more information on putting together a sponsor packet, visit FIRST NEMO (firstnemo.org)

2. Veteran teams. Lots of teams in the area, get in touch with Nancy McIntyre (Senior Mentor). 294, 330, 207, 1197 all are here. I'm sure many would be willing to help mentor a rookie team. So Cal FIRST is fairly spread out, which tends to limit collaborations, but the engineering experience of the teams is very strong.

3. Mentors in stuff you don't know. Lots of retired engineers around here would love to have a weekend project. Get in touch with defense retiree groups.

4. Other stuff. Feel free to contact me, I'm from the LA area but work in Irvine. I'm usually traveling between Irvine, LA, and San Diego fairly frequently to work with teams and help at competitions, I'd be happy to meet and try to answer any questions, or help your students off to the right track.

Incidentally on that note, I'd encourage your students to go to some other competitions to see what they're like. Unfortunately, the closest one to you, SCRRF Fall Classic, just happened. SD's Battle at the Border is the next closest, and is Oct 15th.