Recruiting mentors

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by philso

Many of the skills needed for FRC can be found in other fields. The OP may be in a rural area so there might not be many "technology companies" that are accessible but FRC is about more than just the technology.

And technology doesn't necessarily mean high-tech. The skills and experience of (for example) maintaining a tractor and adapting its tools to different needs have plenty of overlap with those needed to build a robot. It's like music or cooking - a good musician can quickly learn to play a new song, and a good cook can learn a new recipe, because the skills are there, you just need to learn the variations and practice. Taking it to a different style of music or ethnicity of cooking takes another level of effort, but someone with the basic understanding of how things come together can (with a bit of motivation) broaden that knowledge. In my experience, the vast majority of FRC mentors come to FRC with no robotics experience, but with building or design or programming or business skills and are applying them according to a "new style."

[Tim Sharp]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

And technology doesn't necessarily mean high-tech. The skills and experience of (for example) maintaining a tractor and adapting its tools to different needs have plenty of overlap with those needed to build a robot.
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As a (very) rural team one of our biggest strengths is the practical skills many of our students have already mastered when they show up (mostly from working in agricultural settings). Many of them also have a "farmers" work ethic, which can overcome many shortcomings.

[philso]

Originally Posted by Tim Sharp

As a (very) rural team one of our biggest strengths is the practical skills many of our students have already mastered when they show up (mostly from working in agricultural settings). Many of them also have a "farmers" work ethic, which can overcome many shortcomings.

One of the best thought out robots I have seen was from a team like Tim's in the Rio Grande Valley. They had only enough money to pay for the registration for one Regional and had to cannibalize the previous year's robot. Their teacher/coach said that they filled notebooks with sketches before cutting any metal because they could not afford to waste any.

[snoman]

One of the best thought out robots I have seen was from a team like Tim's in the Rio Grande Valley. They had only enough money to pay for the registration for one Regional and had to cannibalize the previous year's robot.

Yeah we do this every year too for each team. All very good advice and we are trying some this year. Thank you.

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by Tim Sharp

As a (very) rural team one of our biggest strengths is the practical skills many of our students have already mastered when they show up (mostly from working in agricultural settings). Many of them also have a "farmers" work ethic, which can overcome many shortcomings.

Experience in a rural setting could also be advantageous because of all the heavy equipment and the mechanisms in use on that equipment. I saw a story about one team from a rural area whose Recycle Rush robot was inspired by a hay baler.