COACH: Coaching can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Our goal is for you to help your team members see the fun in science, technology, engineering, and math. Whether or not your team receives an award at a competition, team members win just by participating.
If it is your rookie year, enjoy it for what it is: a learning experience. Your goal should be to simply experience FLL or FTC for the first time. With a fun experience and meeting realistic goals under your belt, you and the children will be brimming with ideas about what to do next year.
As the Coach, your team needs you to give them guidance and provide structure, encouragement, and most of all, a fun experience. Lots of people make great Coaches: parents, teachers, engineers, college students, scout leaders, and more. You must be willing to meet with your team 1 to 3 times per week for about 8 to 10 weeks.
You are also responsible for guiding the team in developing its goals and timeline, as well as the planning and scheduling of meetings, visits, and trips. You are the liaison between team members, mentors, parents, and volunteers. It is important that you inform children and parents about what is expected of them in terms of their commitment to the team each step of the way.
MENTOR: A Mentor is any person who works with the team in his or her area of expertise for at least one team meeting. Mentors help expose your team members to potential careers in addition to helping them learn the skills necessary to complete the FLL or FTC season. The most important quality for a Mentor is someone who enjoys working with young people and wants them to learn.
Examples of mentors:
Engineers who teach skills the team can use to design their robot or complete the Project.
FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) or FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) team members who help the team work through a practice programming challenge, share strategizing methods, serve as possible youth role models.
Science Professional or expert in this year’s challenge theme who presents real examples of science in practice, advises the team on the Project, describes existing solutions, and recommends new sources of information for the team to explore.
Graphic Artist who provides advice on the team logo, T-shirts, and presentation material.
Programmer who teaches the team about programming principles and helps the team troubleshoot programs.
Potential sources for mentors:
Companies in your community. Many companies encourage their employees to volunteer, and some even have formal programs to match volunteers with groups in the community.
Service-oriented organizations. There are many social organizations with a focus on community service. You probably have some in your town (for example: Rotary Clubs or Senior Corps).
Parents and relatives of your team members!
To download additional information regarding FLL Coaches and Mentors:
