Want to volunteer?

We’re in need of a large number of ISU volunteers to help run this year’s FLL Championship, which is on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Click the “Volunteer Registration” link on the right to sign up!

Mentors Needed!

What is a mentor?

A mentor is a person who works with the team at team meetings. They provide valuable insights, interaction, and serve as resources for the teams. Some mentors help teach engineering concepts and design skills. Other mentors might help with science concepts advising the team on real examples of how they might format their research project. Some mentors help with robot building and programming principles. Teams need all kinds of help and mentors play an important role.

Who can be a mentor?

Any responsible, energetic, concerned, caring individual can be a mentor. It is great if mentors have some technical interest or ability related to FIRST LEGO League, but mentors come from diverse backgrounds and skill areas. If you enjoy working with kids or helping, you should consider mentoring.

How much time does it take to be a mentor?

Mentors typically meet with the team once per week or more. However, there are mentors that can only meet with the team every couple of weeks. The coach and mentor work out the schedule and time commitment as every team has different needs.

How do mentors get matched with a team?

Mentors get matched with a team based on different factors, such as the distance from the university a team is located and whether the mentor has transportation, what times the team meets, and how much time the team is asking for from a mentor.

Where are the teams and how do I get there?

ISU FLL currently has several area teams that would like to have a mentor. If you are interested in mentoring, we can give you a listing of the schools and the coach contacts for each in order to get you partnered with a team.

If you have your own transportation, you may be eligible to get reimbursed for your mileage, apply by e-mailing details of your mentor trips to fll@iastate.edu.

If you do not have transportation, please contact fll@iastate.edu to discuss the options on transportation for mentoring a team out of the Ames community.

Other questions on mentoring can be directed to fll@iastate.edu.