Also, for the record, this notion is certainly not unprecedented. A team’s engineering mentor was unable to attend the 2003 Championship in Houston due to illness, and consequently, I was asked to substitute. The team’s sponsor covered all of my travel costs.
Right,
so in the proposals, it should be stated as such with the purpose being made crystal clear. In working through this, every aspect should be carefully thought of from every angle. One is still offering their services and there will be expectations attached to the services on both sides. Those expectations should be looked at and addressed whether it is a service exchange that helps with travel costs or it is a monetary payment. In other words, this is a golden opportunity for a couple of entrepreneurs to develop a business plan.
I personally have enjoyed the chance to work with Dylan in the past and would like to officially invite him to come to Michigan and help my team. Considering that scouting/strategizing is one of the major areas of concern with the iPirates and my new team Ketronix, I believe it would be worth everything to have such valuable experience come in and show my students what and how scouting/strategizing is done correctly. Dylan drop me an e-mail and I will hook you up in Michigan.
The team I am with now, 1884, has in the past not had enough technical mentors. This year, they got extra funds to offer potential mentors a fellowship. It’s a decent about of money, £250 for undergraduates and £500 for professional mentors. It’s enough to cover my costs to take the bus to and from the meetings for the season. They are expecting a minimum of 40 hours during build season(lol), and there is an application process. I would be working with them anyways, but the fellowship attracted a PhD mechatronics student from Imperial College. Now that he has been around a few weeks, he has actually committed to more time and seems to be enjoying himself, in addition to being really helpful!
It is basically a stipend in an attempt to lure mentors, rather than people that want to goto more regionals trying to cover their expenses. I might be slightly biased about it, but I don’t see a fellowship as a bad thing to offer. VCU offers a 3 course 400 level engineering elective course where you work with a FRC team for the build season. Not so different an incentive.
Wetzel
Well it seems we have been overshadowed a bit by the game hint (understandable). But we would like to try and get more feedback on this idea so please ask questions, add ideas, private message us, just read it please. We are wondering if this idea will hold water for the long haul we are looking for.
Dylan is a great resource, that I have been able to work with for a long time. And with Matt, well he’s my brother, and I must say, he’s awesome with strategy as well. He aided the 1126 alliance in 2006 at Championship when they won Galileo and was about to play the Newton alliance. Matt had all the information about the Newton alliance and quickly stepped in to help 1126. FLR 2008- 1126 was knocked out in quarter finals, and immediately after words came to the help of our alliance, giving suggestions and strategies. If that isn’t GP, I’m not sure what is.
Matt and Dylan were planning all year how to beat 1114, and it happened at IRI. The 1126 alliance beat the 1114 alliance in the semi finals. Their strategy worked. (I’m not bashing 1114, in fact, it’s a compliment to them).
As Dylan said, he has been on field team for 3 years, and he has all the experience you could ask for. Dylan has lead the field team into 3 consecutive times into elimination rounds in Atlanta. (06, 07, 08). And once to Einstein (06). Dylan is a very friendly, personable guy, and can remain calm and thinks with a clear head. He is great to get along with, and plays well with others. :]
Matt has been around FIRST for about 6-7 years and has seen it all. The good years, the bad years. Robots and strategies that work, and those that don’t. Matt too is a great guy to work with, and will listen to your thoughts and share his as well.
These guys are great, and aren’t in it for the money (well there’s none involved anyway). Like Dylan said, it’s just to cover their expenses. They love FIRST, and just wanna be able to use their talents and abilities to help others.