[Kims Robot]

Anyone who thinks FIRST is just about robots could see that is not the case here. FIRST is a bunch of people that get together, all have different personalities, and many of the students often have other things going on at home or issues with friends.

A few years ago, we had two students who we often looked at like brother and sister because they fought all the time, so it sounds similar to me. It put a lot of stress on the other students, on many of the mentors, and on the team as a whole. In all, its drama that no one wants to deal with.

Ultimately, it wasnt easy for us, and Im not sure that we fully "solved" it, but I went through a series of discussions with each of them separately. Both were going through home issues I wont elaborate on, but a lot of it was acting out for attention. They were both good kids at heart, and both loved the program, and even were mostly friends with eachother, but it was often hard to get them working in the same room. I think we worked through most of it by letting them know that we cared and listening to their problems, letting them voice why they were frustrated with eachother, and empathizing (NOT sympathizing). In the end they both graduated and went off to college, and both are doing well now, Im happy to say, but it was hard to deal with at the time. I think the best you can do is let them know you care, and try and get them to see how they are affecting the team as a whole. A lot of times students dont realize anything outside their own bubbles.

As for the mentor, it is a REALLY rough position to be in to be relied on all the time, to have to be professional all the time, and if this person really is your only mentor, that is a really HUGE responsibility. While everyone is entitled to their "bad" days, it sounds like this is starting to get more frequent. In that case, I would suggest talking to the mentor. If you are a student, this might be a more touchy subject, maybe a parent or another adult could broach the topic. Or you could approach it that you noticed that the two students are really getting out of hand, and you wanted to talk about it... and slowly work into talking about that its really concerning to see that person act that way. My guess is the mentor is just overwhelmed and frustrated, I have been there sooo many times. Its hard to stay professional when you look at the fact that you are volunteering your time for this and these kids are being so disrespectful that its driving you up the wall. Sometimes it seems like kids dont get that they arent entitled to this team... that its because of the hard work of those who started and run it... but then we have to step back and realize that not everyone is going to see everything the same way.

Biggest thing I can think of is just talk to and listen to the three in this issue, and do it separately. In my experience bringing them all together only creates resentment or holding back, or more arguing. Let them all know you care and see if you can find out the root of these problems.