[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by writchie

AWe have 4 FTC teams which function as a Jr. Varsity and an FRC team that is the varsity. Our FTC teams are student directed with "light" mentoring. (...) It does not provide the unique life changing experiences that become available to the students of mentored FRC teams. Our FRC teams have "heavy" involvement from mentors because that is the essential character of that program.

Remember what Dean says - It's not about the robot.

I can't imagine why you would deprive your FTC students of the mentor support that you find so essential to the motivational and educational aspects of your FRC program. You say that mentor involvement is life-changing, but you choose not to provide that to students in FTC. It sounds to me like you, as mentors, are not giving these students your best effort.

I know this sounds argumentative, and I apologize for that. I truly want to understand why you wouldn't take something you know to be critical -- "heavy" mentor involvement -- and offer it to all of your students. There is nothing inherent in the medium-sized robotics program (except what I view as a stupendously misguided hands-off FLL rule that was added to FTC this year) that precludes mentors from working shoulder-to-shoulder with students. Mentors need to get in there and mentor or else you might as well hire baby-sitters.