I was recently contacted by a rookie team to help them out. They had just had their first meeting and opened the kit of parts last Wednesday. They have asked me to come help. I have been on a team for 4 years and am a freshman at Lake Superior State University. I am currently their only mentor who has experience with these things. Their meeting location is also a half hour drive away from me, and I can’t make it every day. My question to you is what is the best way for me to help out and where can I look for people to help out? Any other advice would also be much appreciated.
Question 1: Who else is close/closer in terms of teams that can mentor?
Question 2: Any other possible mentors/alumni at your school? Maybe you can trade off days at their facility.
Next up, Skype (or other IM/videoconference program) is your friend. On days you can’t make it, leave that program open; if they have questions, they can contact you directly.
I’m in a similar boat; however, in my case, the team knew before Kickoff that they needed help, and I was able to help them in person during the first few days. Then I headed for school (1500 miles away), and that’s when Skype came into play. But before I left, I worked on helping them get in touch with other veterans and the Senior Mentors in the area.
Be honest with them up front! If you can only afford one help session a week make sure they understand that and don’t expect too much of you.
Don’t commit to being their savior unless you want your grades to slip…
One of our mentors bikes 30 miles in the rain(we live in seattle) each way to come mentor our team. It all depends on how dedicated you are
So at first I felt sad this team might be in trouble. Then I saw you are in michigan … Really so many teams there find all the teams around them and ask for help also go to any local businesses evolved in stem type work and tell them about FIRST ask for some of them to come out and mentor.,?,
I would love to drive the 30 minutes each way, the problem is I can’t afford the gas. The team is in Brimley, way up in the UP. I don’t know how many teams are in the area. Currently my old team, Enigma 2075, is willing to help out (my mom is the coach) and will do everything I can. I already told them about my predicament. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Get in touch with 1596, the Instigators, out of Sault Area High School, if you haven’t already. You might be able to work with them to mentor the rookie team. Google Maps puts them on the southeast side of town, about 10 minutes from your school…
I already know of that team, my school is their main sponsor and our IEEE are their main mentors. I was going to get in touch with them and see if they know of anyone else that can help.
Thank you all for the support
Just an update on the team. I have been meeting with them 2-4 times a week and currently we have a 8 wheel drive robot that can make it over the bump. Tomorrow we plan on making an arm to get up the ramp and have designs for a shooter that we can hopefully assemble before we have to bag. For how little time we have had I am incredibly satisfied with the robot.