Advice about team environment and finding mentors

[nrensing]

Like everything else about the team, a robust mentor corps won't come together overnight and fully formed. You'll end up going through many mentors, some of whom will stick and some won't, so don't let setbacks discourage you.

(1) It has to be fun for the mentors. Student led is all well and good, but it can't mean that the adults get stuck with every tedious job, are expected to accommodate every student whim, or get stuck with the fallout when students don't follow through. It helps if the mentors like each other's company and have some opportunity for socializing away from the kids. This is not an environment students can create, so you'll need to get buy-in from your lead mentors.

(2) Parents are not necessarily short termers. Don't forget that some parents have younger kids, and some parents of middle school students might be interested in getting involved so that their kids have a team available later. And if things are going well enough, they might just get hooked and stick around.

(3) Project-based involvement works for mentors as well as students. Ask a parent or local engineer to lead a workshop, or teach a CAD class, lead a grant writing session, etc. It's easier to commit to something concrete, and adults like a sense of accomplishment too. Someone who keeps coming back for project after project is a candidate for a more organizational role.

(4) Contact your local engineering society chapters - SWE, ASME, IEEE etc., and local university alumni organizations. Many have service committees.

Good luck.