How to deal with lack of participation

[TikiTech]

This can always be a problem. Much of what was previously mentioned above are great suggestions.

We start the year with roughly 100 students. We run a difficult program and by the time FRC comes around our number are down to roughly half. The veteran students are partnered with incoming students during the year, they are tasked with eventually finding their replacements by the time they graduate. The veteran students feel vested by that time and really help us mentors by identifying potential stars and help the rookies to find a niche for them that the mentors might not see.

We have been a year round program for the last few years. We compete is roughly 20 different STEM competitions throughout the year not just robotics. Probably more, I have lost count. We host two, week long, STEM camps a year that is run by the veteran students for grades 3-8 inspiring the upcoming students and eventual replacements.

This approach allows many different opportunities for rookie students to find what peaks their interest. Who you thought might be an excellent programmer, and showed desire to become one when applying, turns out to be the best fabricator.

You never know what can cause the inspirational shift in a student so we try to have as many different STEM projects as possible. Some years half the team does not do robotics at all and gets involved in things like science fair, TARC (Team America Rocketry Challenge), West Point Bridge Designer, 3d printing, Science Olympiad and many more.

The students are required to fill out an application and go through an interview, just like applying for a job. This helps them feel a sense of commitment and add some real world pressures. Many times we have students for only half the year as sports and other activities call to them. This is perfectly acceptable, and having them feel welcomed to return is important.

We know that rookies can be overwhelmed with the difficulty of FRC. Many new student do not want to put in the massive amount of time it can take from their own personal time during build season. This is normal and can cause some issues. I find, especially to a first year student to the program, that FRC is hard to “get” and intimidating. We have many work sessions prior to FRC to help build up the skills they will need. This also can help identify what roles sparks their interest.

I have found that taking the semi flaky student (as your example, starts strong then leaves just to return when the hard stuff is done) to a FRC regional can cause much more inspiration than you think.

Many times our rookies come along and basically cheer us on and watch the awesomeness that is FIRST. We will have them walk around the pits, and if interested, will help with minor pit or match scouting or even just picture taking. They come back from a regional in awe and many times very inspired to come back next year and really get into it from then on.

The energy at regional competitions along with talking with so many excited and committed students from other teams, that do so many different roles for their teams, can help generate inspiration and future commitments.

Our program is now in its 5th year, I feel we are on the right path, with 3 Engineering Inspiration and a Chairman’s Award under our belt we will continue to bring along the newbies.

Being from the big island of Hawaii our closest regional is several islands away and the cost of taking them along is high. Many of the students here have never left the island and being such a rural place have never seen a city. So the trip ends up being a real big deal to them. If we manage to have just one student change to appreciate STEM and eventually pursue higher education then it is all worth it.

The main thing to really focus on is INSPIRATION.. It is what we are all here to do..

As said so many times, it is not the robot…

Feel free to message me and I am more than happy to go into much more detail of our programs approach.

Good luck this year.
Aloha!