Discussion Questions
Team Building / Get to Know You
Some teams have been together for a few seasons, some teams are just getting started. Use time during the Lunch/Product Fair to connect as a team.
Tip for discussion leaders: Don’t be afraid to “cold call” on someone. For example, “Micah, what do you think about this?” Don’t push it if they don’t have an answer, simply move to someone else. This helps ensure that everyone participates. If you just wait for people to raise their hands or start talking, it’s likely that the same few, talkative people will keep giving their thoughts.
Team Discussion Prompts:
- Of the sessions so far, which have you found most interesting?
- Have you seen or heard anything in the morning sessions that made you think “our team needs to do that?” Share with the group.
- What areas do we feel like we need to spend more time growing in (ie: fabrication, build, design, programming, marketing, etc…)?
o What ways do we think we can gain that additional knowledge?
- Which sessions are you looking forward to in the afternoon?
- For new team members: what questions do you have about our team and this upcoming season?
- For returning members: what went well last season? What didn’t?
- The 2024-2025 season theme is “DIVE presented by Qualcomm” and the FRC challenge this year is “REEFSCAPE presented by Haas: teams will use their engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats – making waves to build a better world.” Brainstorm and think about what the game might entail, imagine how you might build a robot to play that game.
- Do you know your communication style? Working in groups can be challenging because everyone communicates in a different way – take time to talk about the ways you like to communicate, and how you can work better as a team by communicating differently.
o For instance, some people like to think out loud and process by talking to others. Some people prefer to have time to themselves to think before they share their thoughts.
o Some people communicate better in writing, others talking.
o Some people learn better when they have images to look at, other people may need things in writing, others may just like to listen.
- How can our team be more inclusive, diverse, and equitable this year? Remember, inclusion looks different for every team. Look at some examples below.
o Include more lower-classmen on our team.
o Change our discussion strategies to make sure all communication-styles on our team are part of the discussion.
o Increase fundraising efforts to provide lunch and transportation for all members of the team.
o Intentionally recruit more girls to the team.
Re evaluate how leadership positions are determined on your team