[sanddrag]

It seems like you have a very good understanding of the situation you are in and you have your options sorted out pretty well too. I am a main college mentor for the team and was a high school student on the team for 3 years before that. My problem is that everyone looks up to me so much that I do everything and they never have any ideas of their own. So, it is pretty much the opposite of your problem.

However, on our team the main adult is a Math teacher. Based on the description of your problem, I think his position is similar to yours. He has lots of ideas but most of them get rejected because he is not an engineering-oriented type of person. So, it usualyl ends up with him building cardboard models and wood mockups and running mathematical calculations on things that never get build and he keeps to himself with that stuff. I don't think this is quite what you are shooting for. You want to be involved in the real project, not your own explorations.

So, I will say this, respect works both ways. I'm not saying you don't respect the other mentors, but a "building of respect" needs to be initiated by someone, and it obviously isn't going to be them.

You pretty much need to make them feel good about their own ideas and designs. Instead of poking holes in their ideas, or criticising them, let them proceed with what they want to do. Even help them do it. Then, once they see that you care about what they think, they will start caring about what you think. I know this is sort of backwards in your view but in the long run it will lead to a much better relationshio.

Another way to earn their respect is to simply ask for help. Tell them, you have a really good idea, but your not sure how to implement it. Instead of them coming up with their own ideas, ask them to figure out how to make yours work. Tell them you really want to gain an understanding of why this needs to be done like that and so on. You probably have lots of questions now, but tell them once you start understanding this stuff, you won't need so much of their help.

Third, go back to the kids. That's really what it's about. This strategy would be a sort of ignoring them a little bit. Build up a stronger partnership with the students, befriend them. Instead of arguing with the engineers, make progress with talking with the students. Help students develop their ideas and get them to back your ideas.

I would not recommend ever getting into a real battle over whose idea or design is better or something like that. Usually our team doesn't disagree on a whole lot of things because we make decisions on what is best for the team as a whole. No student was disappointed that they didn't get to drive the robot, because they could admit that there was somebody who was better. And a better driver, makes a better chance of success for the whole team, rather than just Billy getting his chance to drive. So what I'm saying is, do what's best for the team.

Also, keep things very civilized. Don't be afraid to confront whoever you have a problem with, but be sure to do it in a very calm way, non-attacking. Just tell them you have a few concerns about the status of the team. Make sure you have other things to list besides just them. If you stay calm, things will be okay. If they are older than you and you "accuse" (not reall accuse but more of mention a suggestion to one of thier problems) them of something, most likely they will get angry and they will get very defensive. Just keep your cool and everything will be fine.

Best of luck to you!