[feverittm]

One thing we have found valuable with new students (and by definition a rookie team is a group of new students) is to have an exercise we call a 'Week in a Day'.

Many teams have used this approach in the past and have found it valuable. The idea is to pick a previous game (one that has all the game materials available - rules, kickoff video) and have the students approach it like they would on kickoff. Go through the entire game evaluation process including the process of tearing apart the rules, then go through strategy development (what are we going to do when), and come out with some solid ideas. Then take that to the next step to develop some robot ideas and choice points.

We then try to take some time to prototype some of these ideas in a very simple manner (cardboard, tape) to demonstrate the ideas.

We work to do this in one very long day. Stating at like 8am (at the latest) and going until 9-10 at night. It is hard to keep a students attention this long (heck it is hard to keep anyone's attention that long). So break it apart with games (human game simulation) and activities to keep the blood flowing.

Pull together some mentors and other experienced students from other teams around your area if possible, or even by email for the majority of the setup.

We have found that by doing this the new students become more engaged at kickoff and can contribute faster.

Enjoy!