Mentor/Coach Resources

If you have additional resources that you think a new BEST mentor or new BEST coach needs to have in order to be effective, please let us know.

What is a Mentor?  Browse through this quick presentation for an overview of the role of  mentors and coaches.

What's the biggest challenge?
Keeping the robotics team on task and on schedule is the primary role of the BEST coaches and mentors.  Students do not lack creativity...they will generate plenty of ideas.  The mentors and coaches simply need to keep the team focused.  You might want to consider this Example Team Schedule (it is in Adobe .PDF format).

O.k.  I'm new at this, could you be a little more helpful?
Sure.  There are definitely some things a mentor/coach can do to help their team be successful.  Maintaining schedule is important.  There are also some process guidelines that might help your team produce and effective robot. Click here for a discussion of the "BEST development process"

Now, I've got the idea.  Is there anything else I should consider?
Absolutely...Teamwork!  Effective teamwork will allow your team to produce far more than all the individuals could on their own.  Maintaining a good team environment is another of the significant jobs for coaches and mentors.  Do NOT expect it to just happen by itself.  You and your team will probably have to set some ground rules and really work at it.  If you are successful, you will do more than just produce an effective robot.  Here are principles to which some of the BEST teams subscribe.   Please share them with your team.

Let's Review...one more time
Even the experienced coaches and mentors should keep reminding themselves of the BEST role for coaches and mentors. Not because you have to, but because the students will get the most out of the program if you do. Here's one last summary of all this advice.