About the Conference
The FMA Mentor Conference brings together mentors from across the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District to share best practices, innovations, and mentoring strategies, while also allowing mentors an open forum to ask questions, receive guidance and build a strong and cohesive district.
The conference is set up in a way to allow mentors to choose the sessions that they are most interested in, while allowing for open dialogue on the topics, and networking opportunities throughout the day.
Session Slots: Mentors choose one session of their choice per each 90 minute session time block. Session facilitators will spend about 20 minutes introducing the topic and their personal experience on the topic, leaving the remainder of the time for interactive dialogue, shared problem solving and Q&A.
Each topic will be offered during each session time slot (unless otherwise noted).
Sessions will not be recorded to allow for open discussions. However, facilitators will take notes and document key topics or points of interest that will be compiled and shared after the conference.
Passing Time: Brief transitions between sessions to allow for restroom breaks and networking.
Light Breakfast: Provided once doors open and through opening remarks.
Lunch: Catered lunch will be provided to all participants. Over lunch, we will be having roundtable discussions with FMA personnel, allowing attendees to share what they need most and how we as a community can work together.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
| TIME | ACTIVITY | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30AM | Doors Open Check-In, Collect Name Badge & swag | |
| 9:00AM – 9:20AM | Opening Remarks Light Breakfast | 20 minutes |
| 9:30AM – 11:00AM | Session 1 of your choice | 90 minutes |
| 11:00AM – 11:10AM | Passing Time & Session Transitions | 10 minutes |
| 11:10AM – 12:40PM | Session 2 of your choice | 90 minutes |
| 12:40PM – 1:40PM | Catered Lunch & Open Discussion with FMA on Team Needs | 60 minutes |
| 1:40PM – 1:50PM | Passing Time & Session Transitions | 10 minutes |
| 1:50PM – 3:20PM | Session 3 of your choice | 90 minutes |
| 3:20PM – 3:30PM | Passing Time & Session Transitions | 10 minutes |
| 3:30PM – 5:00PM | Session 4 of your choice | 90 minutes |
| 5:05PM – 5:20PM | Closing Remarks | 15 minutes |
| 5:30PM – ? | Mentor Social at Manskirt Brewing |
MENTOR SOCIAL
Continue the networking and join fellow mentors at Manskirt Brewing in a relaxed atmosphere. Food and drinks will be on your own, but a space has been reserved for us.
Man Skirt Brewing
144 Main St
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
QUESTIONS?
Contact the FMA Mentor Conference Committee at [email protected] with any questions.
Session Topics
Mentors can choose from the following sessions across each of the four 90-minute time blocks:
Let’s Work Together to Address Needs
Overview: Grab some lunch, and pick a table! Facilitators will lead small group discussions on what mentors need most from their local team communities and from FMA to keep their programs strong heading into the next season.
Welcome to FRC for New Mentors
Facilitators: Don Biery (Team 11), Libby Kamen (Team 1923), Ciana Roman (Team 11956)
Overview: Geared towards newer mentors, connect with peers on how to navigate your first season, share initial questions, and learn practical tips from experienced mentors who have been in your shoes.
*this topic will only be offered during session 1*
FRC Event Playbook: Navigating an FRC Event from Load In to Load Out
Facilitators: Kevin Dieterle, Matt Dunster, Ali Marinari
Overview: A-Z, and everything in between of how to have a successful event experience. Radio connectivity, pit administration check-in, communication at events – no topic is off limits. Ask key FMA event personnel your questions – everyone’s guaranteed to learn at least 1 new thing at this session!
SystemCore, Electrical Systems, and Wiring Best Practices
Facilitators: Garrett Dicken, Cooper Smith (Team 708)
Overview: SystemCore is rolling out this year – hear updates learn how to have successful robot connections. Clean, robust wiring is essential for robot reliability. Facilitators will introduce best practices in wire management, power distribution layout, crimping standards, and robust sensor wiring, followed by open troubleshooting forum.
- Crimp quality, wire sizing, and strain relief techniques
- Power Distribution Module (PDM/PDH) and CAN Architecture layouts
- Preventative electrical checks prior to queuing
Mechanical Design, Prototyping & Fabrication
Facilitators: Mike Marandola (Team 316), Wyatt Retkowski (Team 316), Mike Finnegan (Team 2607)
Overview: Balancing rapid prototyping during build season with robust final manufacturing is a key challenge for every team. This roundtable explores CAD workflows, COTS hardware integration, prototyping materials, and maintaining build quality within tight timelines.
- Understanding your teams resources and how to build within them when thinking about what mechanism/robot to design
- Fast iteration and mechanism testing strategies
- COTS vs. custom machining tradeoffs
- Standardizing hardware, stock, and shop safety procedures
Taking FRC Programming to the Next Level
Facilitators: Carlos Reckner (Team 103), Chris Reckner (Team 103), Owen Busler (Team 8513)
Overview: Get an inside look at how two FIRST Robotics teams approach programming in the field, from the fundamentals to advanced strategies and real-world problem solving. We’ll explore what’s possible with robot programming today and look ahead at emerging tools, techniques, and opportunities that could shape the future of programming in FIRST.
Team Organization and Mentor Recruitment & Retention
Facilitators: Don Biery (Team 11), Libby Kamen (Team 1923), David Walker (Team 2539), Christina Gorman (Team 4342)
Overview: Mentors are the backbone of FIRST teams. This session brings mentors together to discuss different ways your team can be organized, recruiting mentors to your team and how to prevent mentor burnout. Building a program that survives student graduation cycles, mentor turnover, and budget fluctuations requires intentional planning. Discussion will include sharing strategies on multi-year succession planning, school board relations, financial reserves, and leadership distribution.
- Multi-year succession planning and maintaining institutional knowledge year-over-year
- Managing school district and community organization partnerships
- Recruiting technical and non-technical professional mentors
- Managing mentor workload and preventing seasonal burnout
A Look at Strategic Design
Facilitators: Sean Stevens (Team 341), Mike Leicht (Team 1403)
Overview: In this session we will learn to evaluate teams resources, go over the golden rules for robot design, and review case studies from past robot performances. There will be time for questions and an activity aimed at selecting robot designs that maximize your team’s resources.
Scouting
Facilitators: Noah Halstead (Team 316), Seth Simpkins (Team 316), Cassie Pezza (Team 484)
Overview: You have your scouting data, now what do you do with it? Why scouting is important and why you should do it at events, regardless of your team size
- How to handle scouting even if you have a small team
- Importance of being prepared with pick lists
- Maximizing alliance selection
Business, Marketing & Brand Strategy
Facilitators: Sara Melo-Pereira (Team 11), Rachael Werner (FMA Judge Advisor)
Overview: Strong marketing drives team funding, community presence, and student recruitment. This session will include discussion on crafting compelling sponsor proposals, social media engagement, maintaining team identity, and writing competitive award submissions.
- Sponsorship tier structuring and corporate outreach strategies
- Social media storytelling and visual brand standards
- Marketing your team for judging
Trailer Packing & Driving
Facilitators: Chris Landreth
Overview: Bring your own team trailer and learn how to efficiently pack your trailer for easy load/unload, and how to drive your trailer to ensure a safe, speedy and efficient unload.