General Information
What is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a nonprofit organization that operates team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18. Within FIRST, 2052 KnightKrawler competes as part of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), where teams of high school students design, program, and build industrial-sized robots to play a novel game each year as part of a three-team alliance. FRC teams aim to build robots that meet these objectives, as well as create a team identity, raise funds to meet their goals, and advance appreciation for STEM in their community.
What is 2052 KnightKrawler?
FRC Team 2052, KnightKrawler Robotics, or 2052 KnightKrawler all refer to the robotics team participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition from Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minnesota. Founded in 2007, the team’s mission is to foster future generations of business and STEM leaders via FIRST. In the 2024-2025 season, we had 3 subteams (build, media, and programming), with 49 students in grades 9-12. Learn more about us on our website, or ask any of our wonderful student leaders!
What is a mentor?
In robotics, a mentor is an adult community member who works side by side with high school students to build their leadership and problem-solving skills, as well as create a space for belonging and inspiring self-confidence. This may include teaching fundamentals and skills necessary to perform necessary tasks on the team, empowering students to incorporate their knowledge into team and post-secondary activities, and supporting problem-solving at multiple levels (whether it is robot design or interpersonal conflict), all while upholding the dignity of each individual involved. Coaches and mentors also serve as role models, foster Gracious Professionalism, and model core values to our students.
On 2052 KnightKrawler, we request that mentors be four years out from high school graduation to create more professional boundaries between students and mentors on the team.
What is gracious professionalism?
Gracious Professionalism is a concept championed by FIRST, described as a way of doing things that emphasizes both high-quality work and respect for others. While the team strives for excellence in competitions, we uphold this value by helping, collaborating with, and celebrating our opponents. Unsportsmanlike behaviors (e.g. excessive celebration, arguing with officials, physical misconduct, put-downs or other verbal abuse, cheating, etc.) are not tolerated, regardless of whether it is towards our own team members, other team members, or event volunteers. Gracious professionalism encapsulates an ideal state in which mutual gain is able to be achieved amidst fierce competition.
Steps to Becoming a Mentor on 2052 KnightKrawler
I am unsure if I want to mentor. What roles are there?
- Mentor In Training (MIT) -
- Definition: New (to the team) mentors who are able to attend meetings once or more per week
- Expected Knowledge: General knowledge of FIRST robotics program
- Expected Behavior: Observe a season with goal of learning processes and general team operations, work with mentors in area of interest
- Application/Review Process: Meet with current mentors
- Consulting Mentor -
- Definition: Adult community members who are able to lead or consult on a short-term project or serve as a content expert for a process or program.
- Expected Knowledge: familiar with FIRST robotics and topic area consulting on at the level of a third to fourth year returning student
- Expected Behavior: work with mentors in area of interest, observation and understanding of general team operations and applicable subteam
- Application/Review Process: Meet with current mentors
- Assistant Mentor -
- Definition: mentors that are able to attend meetings an average of once weekly and contribute regularly on a subteam project or consistent team need.
- Expected Knowledge:
- Robotics knowledge in a particular subteam area at the level expected of a typical returning student in their second year (please talk with subteam mentors to see what this may entail in your particular area)
- Expected Behavior: Understand processes and general team operations, participate in leadership meetings and discussion, resource and support for students with expertise in subteam, general support of team and students as needed
- Application/Review Process: participate as mentor in training for 1 year minimum
- Core Mentor -
- Definition: Mentors who are able to attend the majority of scheduled meetings and have substantial knowledge of team processes and history.
- Expected Knowledge: Robotics knowledge in a particular subteam area at the level expected of a typical returning student in their second year (please talk with subteam mentors to see what this may entail in your particular area)
- Expected Behavior: Understand processes and general team operations, participate in leadership meetings and discussion, resource and support for students with expertise in subteam, general support of team and students as needed
- Application/Review Process: participate as mentor in training 1 year,
- Team Advisor -
- Definition: The team advisor works to coordinate team activities within school spaces and policies. This person receives a stipend per teacher union contract for the academic year (months may be negotiated with the Irondale High School Activities Office).
- Expected Knowledge:
- Processes for booking school spaces and in-state transportation (reach out to the Irondale activities office if unsure)
- Team, school, MSHSL, and FIRST policies regarding conduct for students and volunteer mentors
- Contacts for school personnel (administration, activities office, custodial staff, deans, etc.) and knowledge of mandated reporting areas as determined relevant by the activities office
- Team history or knowledge of point person(s) to defer larger school decisions to (could be Lead Mentor 1 or 2)
- Effective communication skills (for school/district, parent/guardian, and community stakeholders – often the advisor is the first point of contact for these parties)
- Expected Behavior: The Team Advisor is expected to be the main point of contact with school administration (e.g. principal, activities director, etc.) and for parents/guardians of students. The team advisor is responsible for reserving gym and meeting room space and managing team storage and work facilities. The Team Advisor is also responsible for maintaining the student team roster and ensuring academic, team, district, and MSHSL requirements are met prior to attending events. This person is also the primary contact for MSHSL, school administration, or parents for any disciplinary actions regarding students or mentors. The Team Advisor is also responsible for ensuring mentor compliance with the FIRST Youth Protection Program and required screening procedures.
- Application/Review Process: Apply through Mounds View Public School’s Employment Website; an interview may be conducted through the Irondale High School Activities Office and/or lead mentors of 2052 KnightKrawler.
NOTE: There are many ways to contribute to the team and our local robotics community outside of mentoring if it is not the best fit for you – possible roles have previously included (but are not limited to)…
- Volunteering at FIRST events (regional competitions, state tournament, etc.) - contact lead mentors or the team advisor if you are interested; there are many roles available with no required prior experience (e.g. queueing, robot inspection, field reset, game announcing, load in/out, etc.)
- Coordinating Build Season Meals (sending out weekly surveys and setting up meals each Saturday during January and February)
- Week Zero event coordination and field build
Do you have other skills you would like to contribute? Please contact Lead Mentors 1 & 2, or the team advisor!
What skills do I need to mentor?
You do need to…
- Show enthusiasm for student learning and empowerment in STEM, business, and artistic ventures related to robotics
- Support creative environments where students feel safe to try new things, make mistakes, and share ideas without fear of judgment
- Adapt approaches and roles as needed to meet individual student, subteam, and team needs, including meeting the needs of students with diverse backgrounds (e.g. racial, socioeconomic, religious, (dis)ability, etc.)
You do not need to…
- Have prior experience with FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST
- Have expert-level knowledge in robotics - returning mentors are expected to support the activities of at least first-year students
- Determine the short-term team priorities (student leaders will own this process)
I’ve decided I want to mentor! What do I do now?
- Arrange a mentor meeting - email info@team2052.com to schedule a meeting with the mentor team. Mentors may ask screening questions, such as…
- How did you learn about our team?
- Have you previously been involved in robotics?
- Why do you want to mentor high school students on robotics?
- Do you have prior experience with youth activities/high school students?
- What made you interested specifically in working with 2052 KnightKrawler?
- What strengths do you bring to this role? Do you have a particular area of the team with which you would like to share your time/energy/expertise?
- What challenges do you anticipate in this role?
- Visit a few team meetings and meet with the mentor team to discuss possible involvement with KnightKrawler
- Background Screening
- Create a FIRST Dashboard account & Consent/Release Form - Bryan (lead mentor 1) or Dahsol (advisor) can help you with this
- Youth Protection Program Training - Dahsol (advisor) will post resources for this
Once these steps are done, either the lead mentors or advisor will reach out to inform you of your mentor status with the team!
Ok! I’m a mentor! What do I need now?
- Most of our communication outside of team meetings is done on Slack. Please ensure that you have mobile access to this application and are receiving notifications.
- Lead mentors or the team advisor will provide you with a team Google Suite login, which will allow you to access our team drive.
- If you are on a subteam that needs GitHub, OnShape, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc., please also alert other mentors on your subteam or the team advisor.
- Team Uniforms (gold t-shirt for that competition year and maroon work shirt) are issued in February each year (with order forms distributed in January). Additional merchandise is available to purchase in October (with limited quantities available in the robotics space - ask lead mentors or the team advisor if you are interested!).
Mentor Expectations
2052 KnightKrawler Core Values
2052 KnightKrawler utilizes core values as guiding principles to dictate behaviors and decision-making, both individually and as a team. Mentors are expected to model core values in interactions with each other, with students, and with others in our robotics and wider community. Mentors are also expected to encourage behaviors supporting these core values in robotics-related spaces, as well as kindly redirect students when they are showing behaviors that are not aligned with the team’s core values. These core values include
- Gracious Professionalism: treating everyone with respect and kindness, even when in direct competition
- Dedication: striving to be at every event and meeting; not only attending, but contributing meaningfully
- Growth: being curious to utilize a wealth of creative, adaptable, and iterative processes in tackling challenges both individually and in team efforts
- Structure: organizing and communicating well individually and as a team; knowing what to do next and how to advocate for help when needed
- Unflappable: staying cool under pressure; solving problems quickly while being constructive
Specific Guidelines
| DO… | Do NOT… |
|---|---|
| General Expectations Ensure safety of students (and let the team advisor + the mentor team know of any safety concerns ASAP!) This includes when students/mentors are injured on site - please report this to the team advisor ASAP. If any information about student neglect, abuse, or safety is reported (either by a student or someone around them), please let the advisor or lead mentors know of this ASAP. Facilitate any emergency weather response, evacuation, or other crisis plans at the direction of the team advisor Adhere to the Rule of Three - there should be at least 3 people in any team setting at all times (end meetings immediately if there is only one other student with you) Generate an attitude embodying gracious professionalism (good sportsmanship promoting mutual gain) Share your experience (especially relating to your postsecondary experiences/personal expertise) - your presence as a community member/role model is invaluable! Maintain discipline and team-wide expectations for student/mentor language/behavior/etc. Respect the property of individual students, the team, and the school/district - if utilizing a shared space, please help to return the space to the state it was prior to use | General Expectations Assume all students are trained on all tools and can operate them independently safely Fail to report information regarding student neglect, abuse, or safety - when in doubt, please share the information with the team advisor or lead mentors Create, facilitate, or encourage environments of violence, intimidation, harassment, or hostility with students, between students, or with other mentors Be left in a room alone with only one student |
| General Communication Use professional (polite) language Include other mentors in messages when a need arises to communicate with a student individually (lead mentors/advisor are great contacts to add if unsure) Let the mentor team know if you are experiencing consistent barriers in working with a particular student, subteam, or the full team Let the team advisor know if you are included in communication (particularly regarding student challenges) from parents/guardians | General Communication Criticize or admonish students or mentors within the eyes or ears of student team members or families (instead, please redirect concerns to the mentor group or team advisor) Speak about confidential information given to you about a student within eyes or ears of student team members or families (this could include educational benefits status, medical conditions, special education status, unique family situations, etc.) Directly message a student on Slack or any other network without another mentor in the conversation Add/follow students on social media (or commenting on posts or directly messaging them on social media) Be a student’s “gossip buddy” and talk about other students and mentors or encourage conversations regarding this when working with groups of students |
| Within Full Team Meetings… Support the group in following the leadership of the captains presenting an activity or discussion topic; this may be ensuring through gentle reminders that students stay engaged Work with more students than adults | Within Full Team Meetings… Work loudly in the shop or talk loudly amongst other mentors during a captain-led activity |
| Within Subteam Meetings… Work with 1 student or a small group of students to see through a particular task (to its completion or until the end of the meeting) Work/talk with more students than adults | Within Subteam Meetings… Take charge of the code or build (rather than having a student work on it alongside you) Work only with other adults |
| At Competitions… Display gracious professionalism when sporting team apparel - ensure you are representing us well! Encourage and appreciate ALL teams’ drive teams, robots, and team efforts Stay engaged with the team, and encourage students to do so, as well | At Competitions… Criticize or admonish other teams’ robots, students, or mentors (if there are safety concerns, please report these to pit administration, otherwise the lead mentors or team advisor can help with this, as well) Work from home from within the stadium/competition area (please excuse yourself from the stands for phone calls or other commitments) |
| Outside of Meeting Times… Display gracious professionalism when sporting team apparel - ensure you are representing us well! | Outside of Meeting Times… Give students rides in your vehicle alone (creating a 1 mentor to 1 student ratio) |
Have there been scenarios where mentors have been removed from the team?
Yes, for reasons ranging from violations of sportsmanship to reasons as severe as harassment. Mentors may be removed from their role on the team at any time for a serious violation of the standards of conduct or habitual failure to fulfill the requirements of being a mentor, and this process will be conducted by Lead Mentors 1 & 2, as well as the team advisor, in conjunction with the school’s activities department. Documentation of removal will be provided by the team or the school activities department to the mentor being removed for a conduct violation. A mentor may resign from their position and be removed from the team at any time.
What does our meeting schedule look like?
As a general rule, our team meetings are canceled or made optional if there is no school that day. Please be aware of our district calendar and any school closures as they appear.
September - December (preseason/training):
- Regular Meetings Mondays (6-9pm) and Wednesdays (6-8pm)
- Leadership Meetings (student leaders and mentors) Wednesdays (8-9pm)
- September 10, 2025: Info Meeting (Choose this session or the 9/15 option, Knight Time, location TBD)
- September 15, 2025: Info Meeting (Choose this session or the 9/10 option, 7:00pm, Irondale Multipurpose Room)
- October 25, 2025: Jumpstart (OPTIONAL, 8:30am-2:00pm, Medtronic Headquarters - Fridley)
January - February (build season):
- Regular Meetings Mondays (6-9pm), Wednesdays (6-8pm), Fridays (6-9pm), and Saturdays (9am-4pm)
- Leadership Meetings (student leaders and mentors) Wednesdays (8-9pm)
- Design Meetings (open invitation for robot design/strategy decisions) Saturdays (4-5pm)
- January 10, 2026: Competition Season Kickoff (9am-3pm, Irondale Multipurpose Room)
- February 23, 2026: Regional Travel Meeting (7pm, Irondale Multipurpose Room)
- March 2, 2026: Reveal Night (7pm, Irondale Multipurpose Room)
March - May (competition season):
- Regular Meetings Mondays (6-9pm) and Wednesdays (6-8pm)
- Leadership Meetings (student leaders and mentors) Wednesdays (8-9pm)
- May 11, 2026: Team Banquet (7pm, Irondale Multipurpose Room)
What does our competition schedule look like?
In the 2025-2026, 2052 KnightKrawler will compete in the following events:
Preseason (playing either Reefscape or MinneTrials event TBD)
- October 4, 2025: Minnesota Robotics Invitational (Roseville Area HS)
- October 5, 2025: Robotics Inspiration and Support for Everyone (Roseville Area HS)
- November 22, 2025: Minne Mini Regional (Prior Lake HS)
- TBD: MinneTrials Competition (LH Tanglen Elementary School)
Competition Season
- Feburary 28, 2026: Week Zero Mock Competition (Irondale High School)
- TBD: Regional 1 (location TBD)
- TBD: Regional 2 (location TBD)
- April 29 - May 2, 2026: FIRST Championship (Houston, TX; pending qualification)
- TBD: State Tournament (location TBD; pending qualification)
| Please note that these mentor guidelines are a work-in-progress – there may be information that may be unique to a season/group of students OR information that may be added on by the leadership team, school/district administration, MSHSL, or FIRST that may not yet be covered here; thank you for your understanding and flexibility to adapt in these situations. If there are any additional questions, please contact Dahsol Lee, team advisor (dahsol@team2052.com) Last updated August 2025 | | :—: |