[Scott Kozutsky]

Honestly, the student leadership needs to step up together and talk to the mentors about it. You need to make it obvious the effect that this mindset is having on the students.

Most of the challenge is how you present this, don't be too confrontational but also make yourself clear and make it clear that the feeling is universal across the students. Work together with the mentors to improve instead of just bringing it up and expecting change.

Try to be as self-sufficient with the off season robot as possible. Have basic CAD before you bring it up with the mentors. Complete the CAD before you actually need to make anything (need mentor supervision). You don't need mentors present while CADing and it shows your initiative and determination. Also, don't go overboard with your offseason bot. All you need to do is try something new. It really doesn't even need to be FRC scale.

Raise funds for the off season robot with the same determination and preparedness.

If you show enough initiative, the mentors will feel guilty about ever holding you back.

Equivalently, don't make dumb mistakes that the mentors could have easily helped out with. You're determined and prepared, not careless.