My Nonprofit Reviews
tommytx
Review for Best Robotics Inc, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
As an engineer and ballplayer I've done a lot of coaching. I probably spend $20/wk on this program and ya know what, it's worth it! When I ran into this program my oldest daughter was a soph. The next year they needed someone to keep the program going so I picked up the ball. After 2 daughters and a son (about 8 yrs) I thought about passing the ball, but they still needed someone (w/ a garage & tools) so I decided that even though my youngest has down's there isn't really a good reason she can't pitch in. This is her 2nd year and she is just starting to get into it, which is normal for what I see since the freshman are generally intimidated by the Sr's. The program takes some investment (broken drill bits & plenty of mountain dew) but the satisfaction comes in several ways.
Someone realizes that they can do something with a tool (ryobi, dremel whatever) that they never used before.
Someone picks up a concept and runs w/ it, (4 bar linkage, slider, whatever).
The best day is the day of the competition. The group realizes that the robot actually works! And if we're in the competition to go to the next level (about 4 times in 10 yrs) then the excitement of the group is unbelievable.
The secret is to teach them to build, not build it, then use the KISS method (keep it simple sir).
As a mentor the excitement is that every year I see a new group of students, and the challenge is to work with the tools you have (and I mean the students).
BTW, I grew up using tools and it amazes me how many students don't even know how to use a belt sander.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Not sure what you want here but I would say on the face of the students as they compete with other schools, or a student who now has the ability and confidence to put a screw in a cabinet handle using a power screwdriver.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give more help and recognition to the directors and board members who make this event possible yet they get the same salary I do....... nothing but satisfaction that a high school student has gained a new skill before they head into adulthood.
