Odyssey of the Mind

Information Meeting

OVERVIEWDefinitionBenefitsParticipantsCompetition/Kinds of ProblemsSequenceRequirementsTeam Formation2014-2015 ProblemsImportant DatesConclusion

WHAT IS OOTM?An international educational program/competition which provides creative problem solving opportunities for

students, K-college

BENEFITSParticipants learn:

Team-building skills by working in groups

How to effectively brainstorm How to identify the real challenge How to seek out-of-the-box solutions How to think on their feet How to present solutions and answers in

a large group setting How to “open up” and express

themselves How to work independently

PARTICIPANTSANY student in grades

Kindergarten through collegeDivision 1: K-5th grade

K- 2 does Primary ProblemDivision 2: 6th through 8th gradeDivision 3: 9th through 12th gradeDivision 4: College students

COMPETITIONPreparation begins in September (or earlier if team stays together) for March regional competition

Consists of two parts: Long term problem

Select one from five types; Primary Problem

Spontaneous problem

LONG TERM PROBLEMS (5 kinds)Mechanical/Vehicle:

Teams design, build and operate vehicles of various sizes and with

various power sources

LONG TERM PROBLEMSTechnical Performance:

Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements

into their solutions.

LONG TERM PROBLEMSClassics:

Teams write and perform skit based upon the classical -- from literature

to architecture to art.

LONG TERM PROBLEMSStructure:

Teams design and build structures using only balsa wood and glue

which are weight tested.

LONG TERM PROBLEMSPerformance:

Teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and

incorporate required elements.

LONG TERM PROBLEM GUIDANCEPlaces multiple constraints on the team

which they must consider as they develop their solution.

Examples for performance: Must be done 8 minutes or lessMust be done in a presentation area not larger

than 7 feet by 10 feetIs judged in many areas Could garner penalty points for a variety of

infractions

SPONTANEOUS PROBLEMS

Verbal

Verbal Hands-On

Hands-On

SEQUENCEParents/students attend orientation

(May/June & August/September)Students choose problem/coaches volunteerTeams form/formedMeetings held (September through March)School registers for competition (January)Teams practice/dry run (February-March)Teams compete at Regional level (March)

REQUIREMENTSSchool membership fee ($135/first team, $100/addl teams) CoachesPlaces to meetFunds for long term problem ($125-$145/team)Competition registration fee ($60/team)One Judge and One volunteer from each team (CEUs for

teachers)

COMMITMENTStudents TIME

Hard work Open mind Positive attitude EncouragementCreativity Punctuality Sense of humor Teamwork Respect

Parents

Funds Time Punctuality Planning

< $50/studentto participate

TEAM FORMATIONTeams consist of 5 to 7 members Teams form in many ways throughout US:

Gifted (as defined by the school district) Try-outTest LotteryCoaches choose Coaches form Coordinator formsStudents formTeachers form

TEAM FORMATION

Method is School’s choice

NOTE: Recommend school coordinator not guarantee placement of any student on a team unless that student’s parent or guardian is a coach.

2014-2015 PROBLEMS

MECHANICAL/VEHICLEProblem 1: Runaway 'Train'

Divisions I, II, & III The team’s problem is to design, build and operate one or more

vehicles that will travel on tracks and make stops at different stations without touching the floor.

While traveling between stations, the vehicles must overcome obstacles —moving uphill, towing something, and more.

The theme of the performance will explain the vehicle’s difficulties on the track and will include a ‘conductor’ character. Once the vehicle reaches its final destination it will display a flag or banner during a victory lap!

Cost limit: $145 USD.

TECHNICALProblem 2: Experiencing Technical Difficulties

Divisions I, II, III, & IVThe problem is to design, build, and demonstrate various devices

that complete specific tasks. The team will create a theme where technical failures must be resolved through completing the tasks.

There will be a list of tasks to choose from including ring a bell, change the wording on something, sound an alarm, move an object, etc.

There will also be a mysterious engineer character. Of course, there’s a twist — all of the devices must be powered by rubber bands!Cost limit: $145 USD.

CLASSICSProblem 3: Pandora’s Box

Divisions I, II, III & IV In this classics problem, teams will put a video game spin on

the story of Pandora’s Box. A gamer character will take on this multi-level game inspired by the Greek myth.

The game will include a prologue that depicts the original story of Pandora’s Box, three characters representing different evils that escaped the box, and a power meter that represents the gamer character’s health.

To beat the game, the player will advance to the final level where it will release hope into the world.Cost limit: $125 USD.

STRUCTUREProblem 4: Lose Your Marbles

Divisions I, II, III & IVThis problem requires teams to design, build, and test a structure,

made only of balsa wood and glue, that will balance and support as much weight as possible.

The structure will also hold five marbles that will be released during weight placement as a result of a team-created device removing a piece of the structure.

After the crusher board and one additional weight are placed on top of the structure, the first marble will be released. After the next weight is supported, the team will use its device to release another marble, and so on. The team will incorporate weight placement and “losing your marbles” into the theme of the performance.

Cost limit: $145 USD.

THEATRICALProblem 5: Silent Movie

Divisions I, II, III & IVLights, camera...action! In this problem teams will create and

present a performance depicting a Director character that produces and presents a silent movie featuring a humorous villain character that commits three silly acts of “villainy”.

Characters that are in the movie may not speak as part of the presentation of the movie. Instead, like classic silent films, the team will use music played on a team-created instrument and creatively displayed subtitles to convey its story to the audience and judges. Also, teams will use a signal to indicate when the movie begins and ends. Cost limit: $125 USD.

PrimaryPrimary: Wacky Weather Warning

Grades K-2Teams will create and present a humorous performance where a meteorologist makes three predictions of “wacky weather”.

The meteorologist will speak in rhymes and use a team-created forecasting device and a backdrop that serves as a weather map.

The community will “tune in” to get the weather report in any creative way the team wishes. Cost limit: $125 USD.

IMPORTANT DATES Problems Released: During first full week in SeptemberCoaches’ Training: Oct 25, 2014 (Freedom HS, South Riding)

Mandatory for new coaches T-shirt Design Submissions: TBDSpontaneous Coaches’ Workshop: Dec 6, 2014 (Park View HS,

Sterling) Regional Tournament Registration: 6 Dec-6 Jan, with payment via MAIL

only

T-shirt Orders Due: TBD, with payment via MAIL only

Judges’ Training: Feb 7, 2015 (Park View HS) Regional Competitions:

Catoctin Region 14: Saturday, Feb 28, 2015 (John Champe HS, Aldie)

Dulles Region 16: Saturday, Mar 14, 2015 (Park View HSSnow Date for either region: Saturday Mar 21, 2015 (J. Champe HS)

State Competition: Saturday, Apr 18, 2015 (South County HS, Lorton)

World Competition: 21-23 May 2015, Michigan State University

CONCLUSIONS

OOTM is an excellent program given benefits realized.

An OOTM program is only limited by the number of coaches available.

Students who compete are all winners no matter where they place in competition.

Questions?

Backup Slides

ORIGINATIONDeveloped by Dr. Sam Micklus, professor at

Rowan UniversityChallenged his students to create vehicles

without wheels, mechanical pie throwers and floatation devices to travel across a lake.

Evaluated solutions not only on success but on ingenuity applied and risks taken.

Students had FUN, word spread and people outside the college “wanted in.”

Led to the development of this world-wide creative problem solving competition.

VERBAL ExampleName things that are “red”Student should think of all of the definitions of “red,”

i.e.: an apple a newspaper Ready at the Switch bread and butter red skies at night A map blood ready, set, go Gingerbread Giant redwoods Readiness

VERBAL HANDS-ON ExampleTeam is given any number of group of materials/things:

PIECE OF STRING, 2 PENCILS, COFFEE FILTER, MEAT BASTER, 6 PAPER CLIPS,2 MARBLES, PAPER CUP, PAPER PLATE, 12" SQUARE OF ALUMINUM FOIL,24" PIECE OF YARN, RULER OR YARDSTICK, NAPKIN (PAPER OR CLOTH),2 RUBBER BANDS, BUSINESS-SIZE ENVELOPE, 6 MARSHMALLOWS, SHEET OFPAPER, 3 COTTON BALLS, PLASTIC SPOON, BALLOON, TENNIS BALL, TOOTHBRUSH, COIN, PLASTIC BAG, HAT, SURGICAL MASK, CLOTHES PIN, ERASER ETC.

Each member chooses three itemsTeam is told items are clues uncovered from a previously

unknown civilizationEach must describe how those objects may have been

used in that civilization’s way of life. Example: Meat baster may have been used to water plants

in a greenhouse.

HANDS-ON ExampleUsually the most difficultEach team is given 40 pieces of spaghetti, 15

pieces of elbow macaroni, 25 miniature marshmallows, 10 toothpicks, 4 straws, and 5 adhesive mailing labels, 5 pounds of penny nails and a pint size plastic container.

Team has 7 minutes to make a structure and 2 minutes to test it. They may talk during build.

HANDS-ON Example (continued)Structure is scored on height and strength.

Must rest on the surface of the table and may not lean against a wall or be supported by anything else.

After completed team must place the container on top of structure.

Judges will measure height from the surface of the table to the top of the container.

Must be at least 8 inches high to receive score.

Once measured team must begin placing weights in container, one at a time.

Weight must be held for 3 seconds to count for score.

Problem is finished when structure breaks, when all the weights have been used, or when time ends.

HANDS-ON Example (continued)