Past Mentors

“I heard about robotics at the competition in 2008 from another Mentor from Waukesha’s team and I thought it would be cool to watch the development of something designed and built by students, plus the satisfaction they all feel when it’s over. I was able to talk a buddy into joining as well. What surprised me the most, is how intense and stressful it can be, how whipped I am at the end of the week, however I enjoy the fact that the kids gain leaderships skills needed to become successful after high school”

“FIRST Robotics was introduced to Franklin High School the year after I graduated. I feel like it would have been a great opportunity for me to explore collaborative design and to work with a team on a project. I studied mechanical engineering at MSOE and math education at UWM and believe that my education background will help me serve team 2506 as a mentor. I’ve learned a lot this year from students and mentors and will continue to serve as a mentor for Saber Robotics!”

“I joined the team because I saw the need for more mentors when I assisted part time last year and I felt that my skills in the construction and computer areas may benefit the team. I hope that this year team will qualify for the nationals.”

“My daughter is on the robotics team and loves it so I decided to join as well. I have been doing systems development work in manufacturing companies for quite a few years. Robotics is a nice way to share what I have learned from design, development, project management, and problem analysis. It is also a great opportunity to be part of an energetic team and a really fun competition. I am looking forward to many exciting seasons! “

“I was aware of FIRST Robotics because Rockwell Automation is a major sponsor of the program. When I learned that FHS was going to have a team, I was very happy to get involved as a mentor. I believe FIRST Robotics is a great way for students to learn technical skills and more importantly the teamwork and coordination to get a large project like this done with limited time and resources. I hope that team will do well in competition, but more importantly for students to learn a lot from it”

“Mr. Dicks said it would be cool to join Saber Robotics team. He said “Hey would you help me with the robotics team at Franklin?” and I said “Sure, Why not? Sounds interesting” and I was right. I hope that those kids would realize, that they can face challenges without Dave’s help, however we are here to always guide our team! “

“I got a call one evening from a friend of my son, asking if I could give “a little” engineering advice to his robotic team. I soon found out that there is no such thing as “a little” … these people are DRIVEN. I was so impressed by the work ethic, dedication, teamwork, and engineering knowledge these “kids”, and mentors, exhibited, that I felt compelled to give more than just “a little” help. After a few evenings working with the team, I was hooked. I have additional ties to the Saber team because both of my sons attend Franklin High School and it is also my Alma mater. I hope my “real world” experience will help to expand the engineering principles and practices already being implemented by the students. Win or lose, the Saber Robotics students can be proud of the fact that they are integral in the design and manufacture of their robot.”

“I visited the team on one of their Saturday meeting and one of the mentors invited me to join, then my son encouraged me as well. I could not resist. I was surprised on how complex the robot designs were and the amount of time that was given to the team to meet the challenge. I remember the excitement the team had during our successful minibot test. I hope that the team makes it to Nationals again.”

“I became a mentor after attending a parents’ meeting; it appeared we did not have very many volunteers. I did not want to see the program fail due to lack of mentors, so I volunteered to be a warm body mentor. I hope the team continues to grow in numbers and enthusiasm. I’d like the team to realize the beauty of a simple solution to problems; sometimes the simplest robot is the most effective. However, I also hope that the team gets to work through some very complex, Rube Goldberg-like devices to overcome a challenge (just for the experience). I hope our members go on to satisfying technology careers, and return to become mentors them selves someday. I would like to see our team put a successful robot on the field and perhaps earn a trip to nationals.”

“My name is Seth Boettcher!”

“My daughter has been part of FIRST robotics since her freshman year. Last year I joined as the Rockwell Automation liaison. Now that she’s a senior and heading off to engineering school next fall, I realized this is my last chance to give back to a group that’s been such an influential part of her high school experience.”

“My son has graduated from the team, but I stayed on because my life is better and more inspired with these students in my life. I enjoy and learn from them and always look forward to see what they will come up with next. I love them.”

“I support the school’s initiative to offer an intelligent alternative to mindless sports. I think robotics is worthwhile because it is a game of intellect – it offers a fun way to learn various disciplines of engineering, teamwork, and analytical problem solving, and does so in a context that is relevant for the future. I have become a mentor because of my son’s involvement, and because I thought I had applicable skills to offer. For instance, I was able to teach a group of students the art of programming in C. Robotics can be hard work at times, but it is also fun and a learning experience for everyone involved.”
Here is article on Labview that Mr. Wozniewicz has written.

“My daughter joined a Lego robotics team in 5th grade. We didn’t really know what we were getting into, but it sounded fun. The kids learned so much that first year and my daughter was hooked. Once she entered high school and joined the Saber Robotics team, I changed to cheering in the stands. With a better understanding of the team, I’m now working with the them to improve communication using visual management. My hope is the kids look back at their time on the team and remember all the fun they had building robots and meeting new people.”