I have been wondering how other teams encourage students to make sure they get their work done. I have come across this problem where it doesn’t seem that some people don’t care about deadlines. The worst thing that can happen if they don’t meet a deadline is they get reprimanded but since everyone is a volunteer you can’t fire them because you need their work. I am speaking mostly from the non technical side of the team but any suggestions would be nice.
*Originally posted by dk5sm5luigi *
**I have been wondering how other teams encourage students to make sure they get their work done. I have come across this problem where it doesn’t seem that some people don’t care about deadlines. The worst thing that can happen if they don’t meet a deadline is they get reprimanded but since everyone is a volunteer you can’t fire them because you need their work. I am speaking mostly from the non technical side of the team but any suggestions would be nice. **
Take it up with whomever is in charge.
If the problem is them not doing their work then you should remember that when the team is formed next year. FIRST is a privlidge not a right. And they don’t feel obligated to hold up their end of the bargain you simply don’t need them. You can also take away privlidges for travel or attending functions if you feel fit and you can dismiss them from the team if you feel they’re being a detriment to the team.
Last year we talked about starting up a system where every subgroup had set things they needed to accomplish every meeting. We debated the “punishment” versus “rewards” way of going about this and decided rewarding those who made their goals by the set deadline was better than punishing those who didn’t. The rewards probably would have been food based since food seems to be a great motivator for our team. Of course, we didn’t manage to start this system this year.
It’s a hard call, because sometimes student fall behind for reasons they can’t control, like parts not coming in, or designs changing, or stupid @*#&$ snow days. And other times it’s because the students are slacking off and goofing around.
We do have an hours system in place. If students make 90% of the teams hours, they can letter in robotics, if they make 80% of the team hours, they can go to the competitions, but if they fall under 60% of the team’s hours, they are off of the team (they are given a warning and given the chance to make up hours before they are kicked off of the team). Last year, they were told if they were not doing any work, they would be sent home and would lose hours, but I don’t think any of the adults did this (I certainly didn’t, and because I’m the photographer, I may be the person who sees what’s happening the most on the team. I am horrible at yelling at students, though I really do try to get them to work).
I know they’ve also talked about limiting the number of students on the team but decided against it, which I’m glad. You just never know which lump of coal is going to turn into a diamond.
MissInformation
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A horse is a horse unless of course, he is not a horse.
I see that I’m not the only one with this problem.
I’ll be watching this post for ideas, since I don’t have any good ones yet. Of course, 3 active mentors and 45 students is NOT a good mix, but we don’t want to turn people away for the reason MissInfo said - some of those lumpy coal bits turn into good robo-students.
*Originally posted by Not2B *
**but we don’t want to turn people away for the reason MissInfo said - some of those lumpy coal bits turn into good robo-students. **
That’s my hope and experience.
Sometimes there is frustration.
I always eventually come back to the story of my stepson.
The rule was 2 extracurriculars. He attended all robotics meetings 2001, but did very little. The VP made the unpopular decision to take him to FL where they won that year.
My gregarious daughter and husband joined robotics the next year to help our less than social relative stay in the program. My daughter ended up working at the machine shop, co-driving at the competitions and being captain this year.
This year my 14yo daughter took a summer welding class at the jr college with my husband, and she’s the team’s TIG welder teaching other members to TIG. I’m the team mom - organization, food, public relations…My stepson hasn’t been involved at all, but corraled back in for 2 hours of programming.
However the rest of his family is very involved and having a ball. All cuz of a VP’s unpopular decision.
Another story - a 10yo and his dad visited 2xs. We had hopes he’d remain a team member. He doesn’t show up. However, his family has close ties to Boeing and they remain on our email list, and in contact with Boeing about us.
I have my eye on a few lumpy coal bits - I’ll keep the opportunities open as I’m able.
I find that people really don’t understand how fast and hard they have to work until teh last minute. Some people also have a problem with working efficiently. I find that the best way to help stragglers is to work with them and get them going, yelling doesn’t work.