More Info - Program Mentor

 

Si Se Puede Foundation (SSPF) sponsors four robotics teams. All of the teams operate out of SSPF’s STEM Center in Chandler. Seeking to bridge one of the main divides that exists for young people participating in robotics, these programs are free-of-charge to participants. As such, having volunteer mentors is essential for the operation of these teams. If you are interested in volunteering with any of them, please click the link below to fill out an interest form. Volunteers for these four teams must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check.

 

• Desert WAVE Underwater Autonomous Vehicle (AUV) team: In August 2024, this all-women's collegiate robotics team won the international RoboSub competition against over 40 different colleges from around the world! RoboSub is the main competition that Desert WAVE competes in. They meet year round, although more frequently from January - August. Desert WAVE seeks volunteers with experience in electronics, underwater robotics, acoustic communications, computer vision, artificial intelligence, or programming. Mentors can be male or female. The time commitment is a few hours each week, potentially more in the summer months leading up to the RoboSub competition in August.

 

• Degrees of Freedom (FIRST Robotics Competition) team: Degrees of Freedom is a high school robotics team that competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) program. While this program meets and competes year-round, the main build season is January - April, with key competitions held in March and April. Mentors for Degrees of Freedom do not need any experience with robotics and the range of skills we teach the students is wide: electronics / electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer aided design, manufacturing, programming, project management, teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving, leadership, public speaking, social media, budgeting, fundraising, community involvement / outreach, and many more. The time commitment is about 6-10 hours each week, potentially more in the winter months leading up to the 2 regional competitions in March. If you have interest or experience in any of these areas, please fill out the interest form.

 

• Da Geese of Freedom and Binary Bots (FIRST Tech Challenge) teams: these two teams are comprised of students in 6th-9th grades and compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program. These teams meet year-round, but their main build season is September - February. As with Degrees of Freedom, mentors for these teams do not need any robotics experience and the range of skills is similar, although tailored for younger students. The time commitment is about 4-6 hours each week, potentially more in the fall and winter months when their competition season is active. If you have interest or experience in any of these areas, please fill out the interest form.