Technical mentoring is very important in any STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, and Mathematics) and especially in Robotics. The kids typically have the desire but not the know how. They need the proper guidance and knowledge to go forward. I’ve worked with several FIRST teams and seen various styles of mentoring. Some good some not as good. I would like there to be more of the good mentoring.

First, some general ideas on mentoring. I was looking around the web at mentoring and there was a pretty good blog on mentoring at the Center for Mentoring Excellence where there is a wealth on Mentoring. I would like to encourage everyone to read about mentoring in general.

Second are some of the things I’d like to share on being a mentor in FIRST. Here are FIRST’s mentoring resources . Here are some of my thoughts specifically on Robotic mentoring.

1. Before the Robot season starts, get to know the kids. Talk with them what they like to do, what are there area’s of interest, and who they are. A lot of the kids won’t know much about robotics or engineering, but if they have a desire, then it will be up to you to help them explore different area’s.
2. Share your experience with the kids – let them know how you work in the real world. What is your job like, what you work on, how you work, and how your company works. Let them know sometime you make mistakes.
3. Talk “With” the kids, no just to them – That means listen as well as talk. Listen to what the kids are saying and ask questions to draw out there thoughts and ideas.
4. Guide the kids in their learning – Show the kids how to do something. Get the kids to do it while you watch them Then get them to do it. Get the kids to check each others work, because here always needs to be quality control.
5. Help keep the kids focused – Sometimes this means keep the parents and other  mentors focused, too. When it’s time to work, try to guide the conversions toward the issues, at hand. That means if your brainstorming keep the conversations on the robot and not on the days events. Leave the other conversations for later.
6. Have fun – Try to make it fun for the kids and have fun yourself. It all goes easier when there is some fun mixed in with the work.
7. Learn from the kids – The kids have lots of ideas and creativity and you should always listen and learn. They have a lot to give.

One more thing, always watch for the quite kids. These kids have a lot to give and don’t always know how to express themselves. Work with these kids, get them involved, and guide. Theses are the introverted kids with more to give than you can imagine. I know because that was me when I was young and I needed a good mentor to draw me out.

For First mentoring, here are some preseason reading on FIRST resources.

Mentoring is a big part of FIRST Robotics program, or any of the robotics or STEM program for that matter.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill