Running a FIRST robotics team might seem a little daunting if you’re not an educator or an experienced engineer. But the beauty of FIRST is that it’s all about teamwork, and that includes learning how to build your team of coaches and mentors.
There are myriad community resources you can tap into to help create a strong foundation of resources and support to help make your team not only successful, but fulfill the educational component of the FIRST experience.
Google Your Community
Whether you’re meeting at a school, a community center, or a private home, go to Google maps (or something similar), type in your physical address and then “search nearby” for any combination of robotics, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, or programming businesses. Look for universities, colleges and technical or vocational schools that might have an engineering component.
Drill down into your hits to find websites, email addresses and phone numbers of nearby businesses and educational facilities that you feel might be helpful in providing mentoring and coaching services to your students. Consider nearby businesses that might be able to provide funding or sponsorship, even if they aren’t engineering or robotics related. T-shirt companies and printers can make very helpful friends and supporters.
And don’t overlook local chapters of groups like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, retired engineers groups or software user groups.
Create a Team Packet
Don’t assume people won’t be interested. Many are happy to help once they learn what FIRST is all about. After assembling your list of possible supporters, work with team members to create a website (a free blog is fine) and an informative and attractive team packet featuring information about FIRST (check the FIRST website for resources) , team members and your needs. Create an introductory letter template that can be emailed or included with the packet, that introduces your team and invites specific in-kind or financial help and support.
Help can take the form of :
- opening businesses or research facilities up to team field trips
- tutoring or mentoring help in any of a number of fields, ranging from computer programming, to building and design, general robotics instruction, team presentations
- coaching support
- team sponsorship
- donations for registration, kit or competition fees
- materials support
and more.
Express Gratitude
Be prompt, polite and profuse in your gratitude for any and all support you receive. Make it a point to thank sponsors, donors and mentors on your team website, identify sponsors on your team shirts, in team literature and on your robot, if possible.
Have students write or sign thank you notes with a team photo on them. Update sponsors, mentors and supporters regularly and mention them regularly to others. Gratitude goes a long way towards encouraging others to support you, too – and it's a great message to get across to youth, that being nice, polite, kind, gracious and grateful – in short, exhibiting gracious professionalism – nets you more and enduring support.
Support is something you have to work to get and maintain, but it's worth the social effort to do so. These are the kinds of connections students will have to learn to make in their adult and professional lives, so it's good practice – and even works towards award recognition, with respect to outreach and connecting with others in your community.
Running a FIRST robotics team is fun and rewarding, especially if you learn to connect with resources in your community, and inform others about who you are and what you need. Expressing team gratitude for support and resources is a great way to help kids learn the importance of saying thank you and about both the personal and professional rewards gratitude reaps.
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