The robotics programs offered through the Haslett Robotics Club have a Student-Centered ethos as their foundation. This means that it is the students who design, build, drive, program, and document their robots, and who take the lead in setting goals and direction for the team. Coaches are there to help teach concepts, help find resources, and keep the students on track to meet the goals they've set. While having a coach with a background in a STEM field can be helpful for teams, it's by no means required, and folks with experience in project management, organizational leadership, and coaching youth sports bring skills that are just as valuable to the table. Ultimately, our goal as a club is to make sure we're providing the resources that teams and coaches need to be successful, regardless of any experience they have had coming in.
The only requirements for our coaching positions are:
Coaches must be adults at least 18 years old.
Coaches must pass the Haslett Public Schools Volunteer Background Check
Coaches must pass the Robotics Education Competition Foundation Background Check
A Team Head Coach is the adult who is primarily responsible for the operations of a team throughout the season. They will be the primary contact for the team with Club leadership and others, and will also be responsible for the care and return of club-owned equipment assigned to the team for the season.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week throughout the season, plus tournaments.
While we prefer to have a single individual take on the leadership role of a team, we know the reality is that some folks who would like to do so can't because of other obligations, or may just not be ready to take on that responsibility alone. In those cases, we will assign a team two Co-Coaches where the duties and responsibilities of a Head Coach are shared between them.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week throughout the season, plus tournaments.
Assistant coaches are adults who have committed to regularly helping lead and guide a team throughout the season. They will work with Head Coaches to run practices and to keep the team organized at tournaments. While they're certainly expected to help maintain good behavior of the team, they are not held responsible for the club's equipment in the same way that Head Coaches or Co-Coaches are.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week throughout the season, plus tournaments.
Each program offered by the Club has at least one Program Head Coach who is responsible for the overall operation of that program. Program Head Coaches handle team assignments, coach training, distribution & upkeep of program materials, practice scheduling, and much more. Program Head Coaches are appointed by the Board of Directors and are generally active team coaches with a track record of well-run teams and an interest to be more involved in the Program and/or Club.
Time Commitment: 4-8 hours per week throughout the season, plus tournaments; 2-4 hours per week in the off-season.
Nightly Lead Coaches are experienced coaches who have been designated by their Program Head Coach to be responsible for ensuring that the robotics room at Haslett High School is opened up for the start of practice and cleaned up & locked up at the end of practice, serving as a first point-of-contact for coaches, teams, & families who have questions, and acting as a liaison between the individual teams and the Program Head Coach where appropriate.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week throughout the season, plus tournaments.