Idaho TECH Teacher Resources
Tips for Success as a Teacher/Coach:
- A successful teacher/coach does NOT need to have experience with engineering and robotics
- Encourage students to learn about applicable science and engineering concepts with the aid of Idaho TECH Activities and/or other learning sources
- Help team access resources (online learning sources, order additional parts, etc.)
- Present guiding questions as students go through the engineering design process
- Ensure that design guidelines are followed
- Aid in the overall organization of the team
- Do NOT directly assist in construction of the Mars Rover
- OBSERVE and support at the Engineering Design Competition
Recommended Schedule of Tasks
According to the 2014 survey, teams met anywhere from 2 to 4 times a week and spent a total of 2 – 6 hours per week on Idaho TECH. Teachers/Coaches reported spending anywhere from 20 – 60 hours total in addition to team meeting times. You can expect to spend more time as it gets closer to the EDCs in April. The following is a rough, tentative outline of tasks which will need to be customized for your individual teams
October – April
Teachers/Coaches gauge interest and put together teams with parent and community support
Teachers/Coaches assess need for fundraising to attend EDC
Teams learn about Team Building and Space Exploration with Idaho TECH Activities
January
Teams Inventory LEGO® kits
Teacher/coach orders additional parts asap
Teams explore LEGO® Kits and pneumatics with Building Cards included in the kits
January - April
Teams Develop Timeline
Teams Create Budgets
Teams learn and apply the Engineering Design Process
Teams keep Lab Notebook throughout entire process
March – April
Teams finalize and test Mars Rover design
Teams create poster and presentation for EDC
April – May
Teams attend Engineering Design Competition in Pocatello, Twin Falls, or Moscow
Teams Inventory LEGO® Kits and teacher/coach returns kits to ISGC
Ask Questions
As a teacher, coach, parent, or community member you are not alone! Please reach out to us for support through the Idaho TECH process. As with anything worthwhile, the Idaho TECH Mars Rover can be challenging!
Email idtech@isu.edu or call (208) 390-1822
Join the Idaho TECH Teachers & Parents Facebook Group
Like Idaho TECH on Facebook
Follow the Idaho TECH Blog