View Single Post
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-04-2007, 20:20
DonRotolo's Avatar
DonRotolo DonRotolo is offline
Back to humble
FRC #0832
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 6,979
DonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Mentors level of power

I think mentors should have unlimited power, able to fly, bend heavy steel, spoil milk, make babies cry, and.. oh. Never Mind.

Being the mentor, I find myself working extra hard to NOT DO STUFF. I want to be the reference for the students, the consultant. It's not my job to build the robot, but to explain how to others.

I can tell you, I'd rather be building it, that's the fun part (for me). alas.

For the most part, I watch and help, but let others do. When there's a decision to be made, I help by explaining some pros and cons that others may not have though of. I bring process thinking and the classical design methodology to the team. I engage students in the design and thought processes necessary, and let them com to their own conclusions.

On rare occasions, I will fabricate something myself, but only for reasons of safety or when specialized equipment (unavailable at the school) is required.

On even rarer occasions, the coaches and mentors will get together and make a decision affecting the robot. This happened once last season (and not at all the season before), and we were pleasantly surprised to be challenged on the decision by the students, who eventually figured out a better way - and that's what went into the crate. But for the most part, we'll only do that when we're at an impasse, 'cause there's a schedule to keep...

Don
__________________

I am N2IRZ - What's your callsign?
Reply With Quote