Question of the Week!!! (8/16/04)

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Bonzack1390

This is something that I have been thinking about recently as I continue my efforts to start a team at my school.

Rookie team:
Advantages:
...

Disadvantages:

The unknown... Not knowing what works and what doesn't. One mistake like having a direct drive with the drill motors, and your robot is sitting in the corner all regional.
Not knowing how judging process works, and possibly come up unprepared.
Not having connections to other teams to help you out until later in the year.
Not knowing Chief Delphi exists until someone tells you about it at the regional
Community and even the school unaware of your existence, hard for recruiting and sponsorship
Sometimes drawn out conversations trying to choose simple things like team colors and name. Things like not knowing what your team number is, and waiting for registration, and other things veteran teams have already done can result in less time for offseason learning. Keeping in mind, there also was no summer workshops for a team that doesn't exist.
Even the mentors and teachers are rookies and aren't always sure what works and what doesn't.

.....

My long long $0.02, Thanks.
Barry B.

Many of these can be mitigated by having a good mentor team. Preferably one that has been around several years. 233 would be an excellent choice. They have been around, obviously understand marketing and branding, create innovative robots, and are close enough to be of help in a crunch. (I think, I'm not too sure of Florida geography). Maybe you'd even get a trip inside their shop!

While it is nearly impossible to adequately explain the FIRST experience to a rookie team, much can be done to prepare them in advance. It also helps if there is clear understanding of what is expected of both the mentor and mentee teams.

We have used the following outline successfully in the past:

Sept-Nov
A delegation from mentor team meets with rookies at least twice to help with name choices and organizing. We also make contact everytime there is a major announcement from FIRST to ensure they recieved it and understand it.
We also make sure they are aware of any local events like seminars or off-season competitions.

December
Make sure they have a build location and tools. Get ready for Kickoff

Jan-Feb
"play" the game with human robots. Ensure they understand the rules both for game and robot. Visit weekly to ensure they are staying close to schedule. Provide technical input when asked or it is obvious they are struggling.

March-April
Meet at least once between build and competition. Explain the ins and outs of competition and venue. Make sure they understand judging and alliance picking processes.

May
Year-end debrief. This helps them decide what to do differently and shows holes in the mentoring process.

Next year
Stay in touch. It takes 3-4 years for a team to be fully established. While we don't visit them any more, we still stay in touch with the first team we mentored 4 or 5 years ago. We maintain bonds of friendship with them and are as proud of their accomplishments as we are of our own.