COLORADO FIRST ● MENTORS

BE THE MENTOR WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE

FIRST mentors guide students to discover their own solutions. Working side-by-side on technical, organizational, and teamwork skills, mentors foster open communication and student leadership while building confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.

EXPERIENCE

Any Background

Technical and non-technical roles

EDUCATE

Guide, Don’t Do

Help students develop their own solutions

IMPACT

Inspire Students

Build confidence, teamwork, and future skills

More Than Building Robots

What Does a FIRST Mentor Do?

A FIRST mentor works alongside students, helping them develop the technical, organizational, and teamwork skills they need to succeed.

Mentors create an environment of open communication, encourage students to take the lead, and share their experience through guidance, questions, and example.

The goal is not to solve the problem for the student. The goal is to help students discover how to solve problems for themselves.

01

Guide

Ask questions and help students work through challenges instead of simply giving them answers.

02

Teach

Share your knowledge and experience while giving students room to practice and grow.

03

Encourage

Help students build confidence, resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to try again.

There's a Role for You

Types of Mentors

You don't have to be a robotics expert. FIRST teams benefit from mentors with many different careers, experiences, and perspectives.

⚙

Engineers & Technical Professionals

Support design, fabrication, electronics, programming, CAD, controls, manufacturing, and technical problem-solving.

📘

Educators

Help students learn, communicate, organize their work, develop confidence, and connect classroom concepts to real-world challenges.

📊

Business & Communications

Guide fundraising, sponsorship, marketing, presentations, budgeting, outreach, media, and team operations.

💻

Programmers

Help students understand software development, programming concepts, controls, debugging, data, and technical documentation.

🛠

Trades & Fabrication

Teach safe tool use, machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, electrical work, and practical shop skills.

🤝

Team Support

Help with logistics, event planning, meals, transportation, organization, scheduling, and all of the work that keeps a team running.

Ready to Get Started?

Find a Team and Start Mentoring

Whether you have a technical background or simply want to support students in your community, there is a place for you in FIRST.

1

Find a Team

Visit FIRST Inspires to learn more about mentoring opportunities and connecting with a team.

Visit FIRST Inspires →
2

Get Connected in Colorado

Colorado FIRST can help connect prospective mentors with teams and local programs across the state.

programs@coloradofirst.org →
3

Become Mentor Ready

Explore FIRST mentor training resources to learn about team support, expectations, and best practices.

Mentor Training →