Interesting thread. Team 2339 is new and it seams there are a lot of ways to get the project done.
Our team doesn't have a separation between mentor and student. Of course my task as a mentor is to ask the right questions and push for logical answers. I find the best results so far by letting the students drill, cut, fabricate etc based of their designs massaged by info found elsewhere
We just completed a simple 2WD KOP frame platform in 1 week. Most of the work by students. My job was to teach how, theirs was to do. It worked and they are ready for Jan 5. There was no real separation between who did what. "we" did it all and it was fun.
It seams whatever a teams setup, we all benefit from the final design thru discovery, ideas, and just good different design. Most of 2339's ideas are from this and other websites. We are looking forward to the regional and the other teams solutions to the challenge.