[EricH]

I've been thinking about this a bit, and I think I see three problems that need to be addressed. They'll all have to be dealt with individually, but solving one will make it easier to solve the others.

Problem 1: The students are being disruptive with each other.
Solution 1: Not easy! You might start by talking to the students (with the mentor) one at a time. Explain that the team is trying to conduct team business that affects them, and that their conduct is slowing/stopping the process. Also, consider adopting a Code of Conduct for the entire team. This document will outline the standards of conduct that the team expects of its members and the penalties for violations. There are some samples around somewhere--CD-Media or NEMO would probably have some.

Also, talk to the parents of the students. Maybe get them to a meeting or so to see what their kids are doing. Then let the parents deal with it.

Problem 2: The mentor is talking back to the students.
Solution 2: I think you're right about the reason for this. That's still not an excuse. About the only thing you can really do in this situation is to remind the mentor about Gracious Professionalism. You could also solve Problem 1 or Problem 3. Either one will cool the mentor down a bit.

Problem 3: The mentor is the only full-time mentor this year.
Solution 3: Get the mentor some more mentors! Parents don't have to know anything about the robot and neither do teachers. If they want to, great, but just having other parents, mentors and/or teachers in the room, and not necessarily at the same time (i.e., trading off who is there on which nights), will give the mentor support in dealing with problems like the students described.

There is also the "Golden Boot" option, but I don't think that should be applied until everything else has failed.

If I were in the mentor's place, I would probably have asked one or both students to not return after last year. Seeing as it is now the beginning of a year, that isn't really an option at this time, but it certainly would be at the end of the year. Being on the team is a privilege, not a right. If they aren't showing that they deserve the privilege, they just might not get it.

The mentor should be the one to take them off the team; if you are a mentor, you could too. If you're a student, then you need to talk with your mentor about any replies you receive to this thread. Hey, introduce him to CD if he hasn't shown up already. He can get extra help here.