|
Re: How to Bring in new kids
The best way to get younger kids interested in FIRST is to start FLL/FTC teams at their schools. I know I wouldn't be in FRC if I hadn't been in FLL for six years.
At a recruitment presentation:-Demo robots, of all sizes.
-Show video of competitions.
-Don't forget aspects of the program other than the robot, in FLL we had a few kids who were completely uninterested until we casually mentioned the research project.
-Do not make it sound like a rigorously scheduled, you-must-come-five-days-a-week activity.
At the first few meetings of a new FLL/FTC team, to help the kids keep coming back:-Bring food, it helps
-At first, mentors should sit back. Failure with the robot is discouraging, but so is having someone else do it for you. Make it clear that the mentors are there to help when you need it, not to take control of the robot.
__________________
FIRST is not about doing what you can with what you know. It is about doing what you thought impossible, with what you were inspired to become.
2007-2010: Student, FRC 1687, Highlander Robotics
2012-2014: Technical Mentor, FRC 1687, Highlander Robotics
2015-2016: Lead Mentor, FRC 5400, Team WARP
2016-???: Volunteer and freelance mentor-for-hire
|