[Molten]

My team has it set up where we (the mentors/teachers) don't even discuss the design until all of the students have presented their ideas. Also, we are half way with build season without much done. That is because students tend to put things off. Once you get down to the last 2 weeks though they work that much harder to make up for it. Truth is, sometimes a mentor just needs to be put in their place. They may not like it and may complain that they are just trying to help. But sometimes the best way to help is to leave good enough alone. Besides, let's pretend you win and your mentors did all of the work...Did it mean anything? The mentors proved that they could
out-engineer a bunch of students. Not really something to be proud of. And the students proved that they can do nothing but take orders. Once again, nothing to be proud of. If the mentors really want to help, they will listen and let you do the work. Don't complain if it seems like too much work, it wouldn't be FIRST if it wasn't too much. Just do your best and work at it. Good luck at everything, and I hope to hear how this all works out for you.