HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM MENTOR
Bridges Academy, Studio City
Non Profit Organization
The Bridges Academy Robotics Program (FRC Team #4019) is seeking a mentor for this coming season, and if it's a good fit, for future seasons as well. If you enjoy building robots (or engineering in general), like working with kids and want to give back to your community, this would be an ideal experience for you. It's a great group of kids, and it's a true labor of love with a lot of fun along the way. We've been sponsored in the past by such huge companies as NASA, Tesla, Boeing, Home Depot, SolidWorks, etc.
We are primarily looking for someone with a background in engineering, specifically with extensive experience in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Fabrication/Construction, to be the team's Technical Mentor. Secondarily, it would be ideal if that same person has a background in 3d Modeling and 3d Printing, particularly in using OnShape and/or SolidWorks, but that is not a requirement for the role. Some exposure to robotics applications and/or the FIRST Robotics Competition itself would of course also be very useful.
Bridges Academy is a private school for 2e (twice exceptional) students that all have certain learning differences. Students all have at least one area of great strength and talent, and at least one area of challenge or cognitive neurodiversity.
The time commitment is in two halves: During the Fall Semester (Sept-Dec), we only meet once a week on Wednesdays from 4-6pm. During the Spring Semester (Jan-mid March), which is our competition season, we meet Monday - Thursday from 4-8:00pm for about eight weeks, and dinner is included each day with the team. We are ideally looking for someone who can attend all team meetings, but are certainly willing to be flexible if that is not realistic for you.
We compete in Southern California in mid-March as part of the international FIRST competition, and food and lodging at the competition are covered for mentors at that 3 day event each year. This year we will be competing in Ventura/Port Hueneme, but some years we compete in places like Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and Pomona.
Although the role is predominantly a volunteer position within an after school program at the school, a yearly stipend is given per season based on your experience and availability, and can be negotiated with the Director of the Robotics Program and the Head of School at Bridges Academy. Additionally, if you are looking to transition to working in education, some prior mentors have utilized this role as a gateway into being hired for a full time teaching position at the school.
If you have prior experience with teaching, working with neurodiverse students or on a robotics team, that would also be very advantageous.
Compensation: small yearly stipend based on experience and availability
Employment type: part-time / volunteer
Job Title: Bridges Academy Robotics Technical Mentor