[Al Skierkiewicz]

Haywire,
I don't have a written contract but I do have an understanding with the students on the electrical sub team. If I should forget my place and a student feels they should be doing the work, I expect them to politely ask me to step aside. If I don't take the hint then they should use their elbow.
This is a complex issue and it may be difficult for mentors to simply step aside especially when they are employees of the sponsoring organization. You can form a compromise with a little discussion. You will learn more and your mentors will gain more confidance in your abilities, when you work side by side. This may not be what you had hoped for but it does cover most of the bases. The mentors will see that the work is moving at the expected pace, and they will be training someone who they can trust to be there when they cannot. Although you will see many posts from students who think that the robot should be completely student built, I, as a mentor, believe you will learn more and have a better experience when we work together. We are on a team after all. I am proud of my students and the relationship we have as a team.