[David Brinza]

1. What role do you play as a part of FIRST?
I am the lead mentor for Team 980, The ThunderBots. I also serve as a robot inspector at competitions.

2. How does FIRST help students for the future?
The practical application of knowledge gained in the classroom coupled with working in a real project environment inspires students to work smarter - a skill that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

3. What has FIRST done for you?
FIRST provides me an opportunity to give back to society. If I can inspire a few students, even in a small way to reach their potential, I feel that I've accomplished something that I wouldn't have in the absence of FIRST. It provides a "common ground" for my sons and me as well.

4. What do you enjoy most about being a mentor?
Actually, two things: Seeing the "switch" turn on in students when they realize that they can accomplish complicated tasks by staying focussed and being part of the celebration that the FIRST competition events really are.

5. How did you become involved?
My oldest son, now a UCSB graduate, was a member of Team 16 (Bomb Squad) when I attended the inaugural St. Louis regional (2002). Dean Kamen spoke there and I "got" his message. A few weeks later, I surprised my son at the FIRST Nationals at Epcot Center. While walking through the pits there (an inspirational experience itself), I met Team 980. Their lead mentor literally worked across the hall from me at JPL and he invited me to join the next season. I've been with Team 980 ever since.

6. What encouragement would you give to new/potential mentors?
Keep the "big picture" in mind. Sometimes the best lessons are learned through failure, so don't let setbacks get you down. This program teaches the value of persistence to students (and mentors), an extremely important attribute for being successful.

7. What are some of the rewards you get as a mentor?
Most importantly, watching students grow in confidence as a result of their involvement in FIRST. I enjoy the "FIRST family". I can feel the comraderie at FIRST events and I value the exchange that occurs right here on CD.

8. How do you feel FIRST and being a mentor has affected you and your life?
The FIRST program has invigorated me by providing this opportunity to share my passion for problem-solving and teamwork with young people. Also, I've learned that I can function with even less sleep than I did before!

9. What are some skills needed to be a mentor?
Skills: motivator, innovator, facilitator, and sometimes "levitator"
Virtues: patience, understanding, determination and Gracious Professionalism

10. How have you used your background knowledge (profession) in being a mentor?
I find using a systems engineering approach helps the team architect our robot concept early in the process. Later, systems engineering guides our decisions as we trade performance against resources (mostly driven by mass, but also time). The project management process has been valuable as well.

11. What do you feel the biggest challenge of being a mentor is?
Managing time and balancing doing the important things versus urgent things. There never seems to be enough time to do things right, but ... (Oh yeah, that's been my signature "tag" for years)!

12. What do you believe is expected of you?
I need to "be there" for the students. They should feel comfortable asking questions, especially questioning why we are doing things a certain way. I need to assure their safety and demonstrate GP consistently.

13. In what way do you feel that you help the kids?
I believe that I can help impact students lives when just a little "push" can move them in a direction where they can reach their potential.

14. What is your favorite part about it?
At the end of a season, to look at how the students have progressed in initiative, critical thinking and self-confidence. Along the way, I make new friends and can share experiences with my "FIRST family". FIRST brought me together with my sons, in spite of the distance between us (Arkansas to Los Angeles), we would talk about FIRST on the phone during the season and then meet at the Championship.

15. Why should someone become a mentor?
Mostly because you want to help young people reach their potential. For a retired engineer or manager (btw, I'm a long way from retirement), it's an opportunity to guide students into the world of development projects.

16. Anything you might want to add!
Thanks for putting this survey together. It's a bit long but well-thought out - good questions.

I'm interested in seeing how you gather the responses and package your final product. Please share it with us on CD!