The Mentors

We thank our mentors for helping use learn and lending us a hand when we need it. Without our mentors we probably wouldn't think stuff through and have problems. Thank you again mentors for showing us the way.

Loid Sherwood Art Burget Randy Steiner Scott Shawver Corey Morasch Dean Klein Collin Sower Lee Coulson Nathan Bradbury Burke Hopkins Parent Volunteers

Loid Sherwood

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2006

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: 20 plus years of being a jack of all trades and a master of none. 5 years of teaching experience, but I look at the previous 20+ years as excellent teaching experiences in my life that add to the teaching I do now.

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: I visited the 2005 Pacific Northwest Regional and knew that Mountain View High School's engineering program needed a FIRST Team

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: Woodworking, Woodturning, Radio Control model gliders and electric powered airplanes and Mowing my lawn

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: I have been envolved in many leadership training programs in my personal life, education,and in the military; there is not a single one that could equate to what I saw our team do last year at the Pacific Northwest Regional.

Art Burget

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2007

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: Degree in digital electronics from LCSC. Degree in Laser and Optics from ISU. BAS degree in Applied Technology from BSU. I started working for HP in 1989 and I'm currently a Project Manager for Laserjet printers.

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: We have been playing with robots at home for a few years so when my son heard about the robot club he joined and I naturally followed.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: Wood working, riding ATV's and spending time in the mountains. Oh ya, I also like astronomy. I have built an observatory in my back yard.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: Not any real stories yet as I'm just getting involved but I can tell you I love watching the kids work through the many problems they encounter during the build process.

Randy Steiner

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2008

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: I am currently a Senior Systems Architect with Bank of America. My responsibilities cover our Architecture Governance program. This includes developing technology strategies and policies for a large division in the Bank. I have been programming professionally for over 19 years, and have been a systems architect for over 8 years. I started programming when I was 12 years old and still enjoy it every day.

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: Helped lightly with FIRST Lego League and was looking forward to finding, or helping start a team when my oldest son was able to participate in the FRC challenge. When we found out MVHS had a team, we had to join up.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: Working with computers and cars. My ultimate goal is to build/work with an open engine control system to replace the factory engine management system. I also enjoy model building, though I have limited time for that hobby at this time. I guess one could say the robot is just a really big model :-).

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: I would say that seeing things click for the students. I call it the "light bulb" moment. Like in cartoons when the light bulb pops out above a character as they have a great idea. This happens as the student suddenly understand why we do things in a certain way when it comes to software design and engineering. I also really enjoy when the students are able to pass the knowledge on to other students and adults.

Scott Shawver

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2006

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: BSU Graduate, Bachelor of Applied Science- 1988 BSU Graduate, Associate of Applied Science -1988 Major Field of Study- Design/Drafting: Mechanical, Structural, Civil, Architectural, and Electrical. Currently working at Micron Technology as an Engineering Coordinator

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: My daughter was a senior in FIRST last year. We went to the competition in Portland. I recognized the fun and the outstanding hands on engineering educational opportunity for these students involved. My son is now a freshman at Mountain View and enjoys learning engineering while preparing for the FIRST Robotic Competition. I enjoy working with the students seeing their excitement to learn.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: I have many craftsman type hobbies involving wood working, welding and mechanics. I and my family have belonged to BORG a Boise robotics club in the past years. I enjoy fishing, hunting and camping as well.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: The robot design has many challenges these students are working thru. The Fuel cell portion in the FIRST program was very interesting to me as well as the students working on the Fuel Cells. The ramp design for this years robot has been fun working with many creative design concepts. The students are now preceding with the construction of one of the design options. I continue to enjoy helping and watching the students pick up skills new to them.

Corey Morasch

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2005

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: Associate Degree in Digital Electronics from LCSC. Worked 3 years doing mechanical and electical repair work at Micron. Had the desire to try software and ended up creating a software group in Burnin. 18 years later, my group has 9 engineers...

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: I was contacted by a friend who heard about the competition and thought is sounded interesting. The last two years were so much fun , I'm back again this year.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: In the winter I love to ski (2 sticks! no snowboarding) Summer time I enjoy kayaking, Bicycling, and high power rocketry. I have flown rockets over 19,000 feet and kayaked class 3 and 4 rapids on the Payette river! I also enjoy projects in electronics and have designed and built my own robots for fun.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: I have found that it is rewarding to be able to work with kids when they are challenged. FIST is no small task, the team must design and build the robot from the ground up. Mechanical, electrical, software, deadlines and competition. This is also allows the kids to work closely with you and not only get to know you, but learn how an engineer thinks. They learn how to solve real world problems. It's not only the kids that lean, I have learned a lot from them as well!

Dean Klein

Q: When did you first start mentoring theBullbots?

A: 2008

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: I am currently the Vice President of Memory System Development at Micron Technology, Inc. I have a bachelor's of science degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota. I have about 200 patents in the areas of computer architecture and electrical engineering.

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: I have always been impressed by the FIRST program. This year I had the opportunity to become involved and to have my son involved as well. I know some of the other MVHS mentors and welcomed the chance to work with them.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: I dabble in flying radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters. I also enjoy sailing. I have integrated a love of photography with both hobbies.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: One of the exciting aspects of being a mentor has been to see the students finding ways to fit into the team. It has been a pleasure to watch mentors getting students involved in every aspect of the development process.

Collin Sower

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2006

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: Graduated Caldwell High School, 1988 Enlisted in U.S. Navy 1988-1994, Machnist's Mate HVAC Mechanic Micron Facilities, 1994-2004 Graduated Boise State University (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering), May 2005 Hired as a Mechanical Engineer for Micron Facilities department, May 2004

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: Seemed like a cool competition/project. It turns out that one of the students and I go to church together.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: Golf, video games with the kids, cooking.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: I've continued friendships with a couple of former students beyond the competition. FIRST has turned out to be the vehicle through which I've been able to mentor these students into their college careers and beyond.

Click Here to see pictures of Collin's "Other" job.

Lee Coulson

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2005

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: Received an Associates of Science degree from the College of Eastern Utah. (Really had a lot of fun at this two year college.) Attended the University of Utah (home of the Runnin Utes) where I obtained a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and Masters of Engineering in Electrical Engineering. I'm currently a product engineer at Micron Technology.

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: On a dare. Just kidding ... Micron has a program (K-12) whose focus is to "Spark a Passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!" This program relies on volunteers in order to be successful, which is how I became a FIRST mentor.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: My favorite sports are racquetball and volleyball. (FIRST mentoring shortens my racquetball season by 6 weeks.) Some of my other interests include woodworking, welding, programming, camping, cycling (a little wimpy since having my face sewed back together after a crash), golf (a lot of room for improvement with this sport), etc ....

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: As a mentor we work closely with the students where they rely on our experience and education, but it is really rewarding when the students make a decision and execute successfully without our feedback. For example, at the Aim High regional during the competition finals, our robot was blocked by the opposing team keeping it from being able to score. Our programmers adjusted the autonomous routine, without mentor help, and successfully moved the robot forward in scoring position leaving the opposing team's robot to crash into the wall.

Nathan Bradbury

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2006

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: I started my long road of education at North Idaho College where I received an Associates of Applied Science in Automotive Technology. Soon after graduating from NIC I enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Idaho. While I was at the University of Idaho I was a member, leader, and later a mentor for the U of I Society of Automotive Engineers Clean Snowmobile Challenge Team. While I was involved with the UICSC Team we won three National Championships. During my undergraduate studies I received a National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) internship to assist the research of a gasoline/electric hybrid snowmobile. I also received a grant from the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to research technologies which could improve the fuel economy and reduce emissions for two-stroke engines. As a graduating senior I received the Mechanical Engineering Department Outstanding Senior award as well as the U of I college of Engineering Inspirational Student award. After receiving my undergraduate degree in 2004 I had an Internship with Bombardier Recreational Products where I worked in their Advanced Engines and Research Group. I started my Master's program in the fall of 2004. During my graduate research I designed, built, and tested a direct-injected and turbocharged two-stroke engine. As I was graduating in 2006 I received the NIATT Student-of-the-Year award. Since graduating I have been working for Western Company Trailer Company in Boise. For the most part I am a design engineer. While here the most interesting project I have been involved with was the design of a trailer that is used to assembly, transport, and integrate the Launch Abort System rocket for NASA's new Orion Rocket. In addition to design work I also push a lot of paper!

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: I wanted to help students learn about engineering and help them look for a future education. I did not have anyone pushing me towards an education beyond HS. I wish I had. I hope to serve that role for at least one student.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: I am an avid outdoorsman. I fly fish, hunt, snow ski, camp, and do all of the other outdoor activities out there. I also love riding motorcycles.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: It is an ongoing story. Everyday I am at the school with the students I see how much they have learned. As the days go by I see the growth in many ways. Students that had to be told to do something early in the year are now looking for projects to work on. Even if we do not transfer the engineering fundamentals to the students, hopefully we help them understand that they are capable of great things if they work hard and put there nose out there

Burke Hopkins

Q: When did you first start mentoring the Bullbots?

A: 2010

Q: Tell us a little about your back ground (education, current job, etc...)

A: I grew up in Eastern Idaho with a Biology emphasis graduating from Pocatello Senior High School then continuing on at Idaho State University for two years with an interruption for a stint with the U. S. Navy Seabees. After the Navy I worked as a big game guide and white water guide for a few years. I then finished my college education at Boise State University with a BS in Business. I have started and run several small businesses and currently I am working for myself as a Glassblower and jewelry design artist. Outside of my work I play guitar and mandolin in a small group, downhill ski, fly-fishing, and raise my family. Not necessarily in that order.

Q: Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS?

A: My son Skyler showed an interest as a freshman where I observed as a parent and discovered the incredible value this program has to offer these young men and women. As a result the following year I decided to become fully involved with the kids. Thus the mentor title.

Q: Tell us about some of your hobbies.

A: Skiing, Hunting, fishing, LLama packing, and just about anything that involves the outdoors.

Q: Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others.

A: I think I have been interviewed more times than Jay Leno has guests. However, I have enjoyed it all.

Parent Volunteers

Special thanks to the following parents that help keep the club organized. You do so much helping with fundraisers, community events, organizing meals during the build, and many other things that most people don't see.

Grace Barnes

Brenda Burget

Suzie Steiner

We also would like to thank the parents that bring in the meals every Saturday during the builds season! Everyone who helps us is very important in sustaining the club for future years.

WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HELP!