Mentors & Coaches

Parents of team members make GREAT coaches and team parents; and guess what?  No technical experience is required! 

Parents as coaches need to be able to: 

• Enable, facilitate, encourage!
• Take heart of the specific program's core values & mission!
• The coach or mentor is there to ask probing questions, keep the team “on task” & help them with understanding concepts such as brainstorming, teamwork, etc.  

There is no “one right” answer or solution.  Teams learn through trial-and-error.   The coach or mentor is there to assist the team members but not offer direct solutions or “answers”! 

The full benefit of coaching a 

DMV NSBE, Jr. team occurs when kids feel a sense of accomplishment from knowing that their efforts come 100% from their own minds & hands. Empowering our children in STEM exploration is what coaching is all about. 

**As a volunteer-led "FUBU" organization, parents are expected to be involved & engaged.  Whether serving as a co-coach, team parent, or on a chapter committee - actively involved parents drive the success of our organization.

STEM Professionals & students majoring in STEM serve as GREAT coaches because they're able to  directly motivate young people wishing to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM.  While building self-confidence & knowledge, your STEM background helps future scientists SEE themselves in you! 

All  team activity must be completely done by the team members which makes you their "STEM Angel" providing support.

• Team members will be responsible for all work on the design, construction & programming of robots; as well as all of the research & presentation of the research project.
• Instead of providing direct instruction on the math or technical challenges,  STEM coaches give team members a sense of accomplishment to prove that they are capable of coming up with good engineering solutions and competing within their peer group.