Become a Mentor
What do mentors do?
All mentors in the Broomfield Robotics Club are volunteers. As a team, they seek to inspire and empower students to be innovators. Together they work side by side with students to teach STEM concepts, develop leadership and problem-solving skills, and build each student’s sense of belonging and self-confidence.
This includes:
Modeling Gracious Professionalism at all times, and encouraging students to do the same
Fostering a safe, inclusive culture where everyone can be authentic, contribute to the team, make mistakes, take (reasonable) risks, learn, and grow
Guiding students through the Engineering Design Process as they design, build, code, test, and iterate
Collaborating with students and other mentors to address challenges and opportunities as they arise
Observing the strengths and interests of each student and then determining next steps to help each student learn, grow, and develop new skills
Ensuring students are safely and properly using tools and equipment
Accompanying students on field trips, outreach events, and to competitions whenever work schedules allow
Teaching students time and program management, technical documentation, and presentation skills
Assisting students in applicable research and data collection, directing them towards helpful resources and tools as needed
Providing intentional opportunities for students to develop teamwork and leadership skills
Reinforcing the FIRST Core Values of Innovation, Discovery, Inclusiveness, Teamwork, Impact and Fun
Help Wanted!
Please note that all positions within Broomfield STEM are volunteer positions, so no mentors or assistants are compensated for their time.
Early Engineers Assistant Mentors
FIRST Lego League Explore Mentors
FIRST Lego League Challenge Mentors
FIRST Tech Challenge Lead and Assistant Mentors for Team #2 (launching in June 2024)
What is the time commitment for mentors?
We believe that consistency is an important part of building mentor-team relationships, so we expect our mentors to attend regularly and participate fully. Our goal is for our teams of mentors to work closely together to make sure that there is plenty of mentor support at each meeting, while being flexible in attendance so that everyone can travel and care for themselves and their families as needed.
FIRST Tech Challenge Mentor Time Commitment:
Team meeting one night/week - 5:30 - 8:30 pm June - April
Robot Work Days one Saturday/month 10:00 am - 4:00 pm September - February (Additional work days may be added as needed)
Scrimmages & Competitions (1 Saturday in November, 1 Saturday in December, 4 Saturday tournaments in January and February)
Team Outreach events and Field Trips (2-3/ month June - August, 1/month September - May: Mentors attend when they are able)
Mentor meetings/trainings as needed (3 hours each, usually 1 in March, August, October/November and January)
Broomfield Robotics Club Annual Celebration the last Sunday in April
FIRST Lego League Challenge Mentor Time Commitment:
Weekly team meeting every Monday and/or Friday (Mentors can commit to one or both) 5:30 - 8:30 pm July - December
Monthly team meeting the last Monday and/or Friday of the month 5:30 - 8:30 pm January - April
2 hour Work Sessions every Sunday 1:00 - 3:00 or 3:00 - 5:00 pm, August through November, and the first Sunday of February, March and April.
Competitions - 1 Scrimmage in October, 1 Saturday Tournament in November, and 1 Saturday Tournament in December (only if team qualifies for State tournament)
Mentor meetings/trainings as needed (3 hours each, usually 1 in May, July, October and January)
Broomfield Robotics Club Annual Celebration the last Sunday in April
FIRST Lego League Explore Mentor Time Commitment:
Team meetings every first & third Fridays 5:30 - 8:30 pm September - April
Mentor Planning Sessions as needed (no more than 1/month, day and time TBD)
One festival/year - likely a Saturday in April
Mentor meetings/trainings as needed (3 hours each, usually one in May, July, October and January)
Broomfield Robotics Club Annual Celebration the last Sunday in April
Early Engineers Mentor Time Commitment:
Club meeting once/month August - April on the fourth Friday of the month 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Mentor Planning Sessions as needed (no more than 1/month, day and time TBD)
Mentor meetings/trainings as needed (3 hours each, usually 1 in May, July, October and January)
Broomfield Robotics Club Annual Celebration the last Sunday in April
What are the requirements to be a mentor?
We believe that good mentors can come from a variety of backgrounds and professions. The skills listed below are helpful for our mentors to have, but are not meant to exclude anyone who loves kids, has a desire to mentor, and is willing to learn!
Early Engineer Mentors
Understanding of coding basics, and elementary science and math principles
Familiarity with, and an appreciation for, children ages 5-7 and their different developmental stages
FIRST Lego League Explore Mentors
Familiarity with block coding, or a few hours to learn
Proficiency with Google Suite/Microsoft Office, Slack, Email, Search Engines
Experience with simple sensors (color, distance, touch, gyro)
Experience with simple mechanisms such as levers, pulleys, gears, motors, etc.
Appreciation for children ages 7-10 and their different developmental stages
FIRST Lego League Challenge Mentors
Basic coding ability (Students learn Scratch and eventually Python)
Proficiency with Google Suite/Microsoft Office, Slack, Email, Search Engines
Experience with simple sensors (color, distance, touch, gyro)
Experience with simple mechanisms such as levers, pulleys, gears, motors, etc.
Appreciation for children ages 9-13 and their different developmental stages
FIRST Tech Challenge Mentors
-Software-
Intermediate experience with Java and object oriented programming, with a basic understanding of embedded systems a plus. (Students program using Android Studio)
Proficiency with Git, Google Suite/Microsoft Office, Slack, Email, Search Engines
Basic experience with controlling hardware using software, including sensors, servos, and motors (hardware drivers are all abstracted in the SDK, so no low level hardware programing needed)
Ability to debug, troubleshoot, and plan a medium complexity software project.
Appreciation for teens ages 12-18 and their different developmental stages
-Hardware-
Knowledge of simple mechanisms such as levers, pulleys, gears, linkages, motors, servos etc.
Proficiency with CAD design (Students use OnShape), Google Suite/Microsoft Office, Slack, Email, Search Engines
Basic experience with hand and power tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, handsaw, drills, drill press, band saw)
Ability to guide students through brainstorming, prototyping, and iteration of their designs
Appreciation for teens ages 12-18 and their different developmental stages
-Non-technical-
Proficiency with Google Suite, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Slack, Canva
Experience with preparing and delivering presentations
Ability to teach and edit technical writing, summaries
Strong organizational skills
Appreciation for teens ages 12-18 and their different developmental stages
We take the safety of our students seriously, so all mentors and adult volunteers must:
Be at least 18 years old (Student Mentors between the ages of 13 and 17 may be appointed at the discretion of the Program Director)
Complete the Broomfield STEM Adult Volunteer application process, including a reference check
Attend all Mentor Training Sessions (Topics may include safety protocol, addressing special social, emotional and learning needs of students, technical training, and more)
Complete the FIRST online Youth Protection Program training
Agree to abide by the FIRST Code of Conduct and the FIRST Safety requirements as described in the FIRST Youth Protection Program Guide
Agree to abide by the Broomfield STEM Mentor Expectations and Code of Conduct
Sign the FIRST Consent and Release Agreement
Pass a background check conducted through Sterling Volunteers
Please contact Jamie Rumsey, Program Director, for more information and to apply to be a mentor.