I started this project thinking that building robots sounded like fun. Once I began to coach a robotics team, I found that so much more was involved than just building robots. My role as a coach was to try and encourage the team to work towards a common goal and to discourage practices that would get in the way of reaching their goal.

   I had to learn how to deal with each person as an individual and help that person become a part of the team. I learned that you could not treat everyone the same and have them produce the same results. I had to approach each person a little different to get them to perform at their best.

   As the season progressed, I had to learn how to solve problems among teammates. I learned to try and get the team members to see the problem through the other person eyes. I, myself, learned new ideas on how to solve problems by simply listening to one of the teammates and not talking over them.

    I had to build skills with patience. While working with the kids, I would try to show them a solution to a problem, and at times they would not get what I was telling them. I might have to tell them a different way or learn to show them what I meant. I had to learn that not everyone thinks the way I do and try different approaches to teach them.

   I also found that different team members respond to praise differently. While one team member likes everybody to hear them getting praise, another team member may like praise privately. I found that peer pressure can help get things done, but it can also slow things down.