Odyssey of the Mind Odyssey of the Mind Information NightInformation Night

Heidi SchiavoneHeidi Schiavone

What is Odyssey of the Mind?What is Odyssey of the Mind?

Odyssey of the Mind is an international Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem solving team competition. creative problem solving team competition.

MissionTo provide creative-problem solving

opportunities for everyone and to

foster original and divergent thinking.

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Convergent thinking Convergent thinking = = for every question therefor every question thereis 1 solution (a + b = c)is 1 solution (a + b = c)

Divergent thinkingDivergent thinking = = for every question there for every question there are are many solutionsmany solutions

Odyssey of the Mind Odyssey of the Mind encourages young people to be encourages young people to be creative and explore many creative and explore many possible solutions.possible solutions.

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The program was started by a NJ The program was started by a NJ college educator, Dr. C. Samuel college educator, Dr. C. Samuel Micklus.Micklus.

In 1978-1979, the Odyssey of the In 1978-1979, the Odyssey of the Mind program began. Mind program began.

It was originally called Olympics It was originally called Olympics of the Mind.of the Mind.

Creative Competitions, Inc. is the Creative Competitions, Inc. is the international organization formed international organization formed to develop the problems and to develop the problems and administer the program at the administer the program at the national and international level.national and international level.

Odyssey of the Mind involves…Odyssey of the Mind involves…

Odyssey of the Mind – PA Southeast Region

Regional Director - Deb Barnes - sepom@rcn.com

Counties:- Lehigh- Montgomery- Bucks- Philadelphia

Memberships and Team StructureMemberships and Team Structure

Memberships include : Memberships include : SchoolsSchools

Home school groupsHome school groups

ChurchesChurches

ClubsClubs

Divisions:Divisions:Primary – grades K-2Primary – grades K-2

Division I – grades 3-5Division I – grades 3-5

Division II – grades 6-8Division II – grades 6-8

Division III – grades 9-12Division III – grades 9-12

Division IV - collegeDivision IV - college

The 3 Components of OM CompetitionThe 3 Components of OM CompetitionLong Term Problem + Style + Spontaneous Problem Long Term Problem + Style + Spontaneous Problem

Long Term Problem200 points

Students will work on a specific problem from Sept-March

Specific rules to follow

Solution presented in 8-minute skit format

Spontaneous Problem100 points

Students are presented a problem to solve on the spot at competition.

3 Types – Hands-on, Verbal, or Verbal/Hands-on problem Style

50 points

Team selects elements to be scored (props, costumes, songs, etc.)

2015-2016 Long Term Problems

Problem 1 - Vehicle – No-Cycle Recycle

Problem 2 - Technical – Something Fishy

Problem 3 - Classics – Classics... Aesop Gone Viral

Problem 4 - Structure – Stack Attack!

Problem 5 - Theatrical – Furs, Fins, Feathers & Friends

Presentation time limit is8 minutes

There is a cost limit of $125-$145 per problem

• Cost limits even the playing field

• All materials used in competition are included

• Students are encouraged to use garage sale, trash, and recycled materials

What is the commitment?•Teams generally work on their long term problems from October – February

•Teams meet once a week until December or January, then meetings increase to 2 or 3 times a week

•Teams will present their Long Term problem and participate in the Spontaneous round at the Regional Tournament on February 27th, 2016

•1st and 2nd place teams in the Regional Tournament will present their solutions at the State Tournament on April 2nd, 2016

What is the cost to participate?

$45/student to cover expensesJPLIS PTG is also generously supporting

Southern Lehigh Odyssey of the Mind

What do we spend the money on?• Membership fees paid to Creative Competitions

• Regional and State Tournament Fees

• District Spontaneous Fair

• Reimburse coaches for materials used in the problem solution

• Assistance to team(s) going to Worlds

• Miscellaneous expenses (postage, paper, envelopes, etc.)

Coaches NeededOur coaches are all volunteers!

When possible, it is ideal to have 2 coaches per team

CommitmentHold team meetings/practices in your home 1-3 times per week

Correspond with parents of team members to schedule meetings and request help and donations

Attend Regional Coaches Training - (date and location TBA)

Attend Regional Tournament – Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 – Pennsbury High Schools (East and West)

Attend introductory coaches meeting, if held

If you are a coach, your child’s registration fee is waived and your child is guaranteed a place on a

team.

Tournament Judges

2 Judges Per Team

All Day Commitment on Tournament Day

Training Required – one Saturday in February

(date and location TBA)

In order for teams to participate in the tournament we need…

January 23, 2016Spontaneous

Practice FairParents are needed for about 3 hours to conduct Spontaneous practice sessions with teams. Materials and instructions are provided.

Solutions to the problem are ENTIRELY that of the team.

No outside assistance is allowed!

What does that mean to me?Coaches

• You do not need to have experience with building, engineering, drama because you will not be solving the problem!

• Your job is time management, guidance, support, chauffeur, referee

• As a coach you will not be giving suggestions, hints, ideas, or shaping the solution

Parents

• You will not be giving suggestions, ideas, hints, or shaping the solution

• Your student will not bring home the full problem details to prevent “accidental” assistance

Participation in Odyssey of the Mind is a commitment similar to being on a sports

team. Meetings are like practices.

Coaches and teammates need you to be there unless you’re sick or have another emergency.

Parents need to be involved – providing snacks, permitting teams to scavenge in basements and attics for items to help solve the problem, helping to clean up after meetings, learning how to administer a Spontaneous problem and

coming to meetings to help the team practice this valuable technique, supervising a meeting or a work session when the coach

cannot be there.

Fundraising – Yeah. We do that too!

If a team places 1st or 2nd in the Regional Tournament………State Finals Tournament

Date: Saturday 7:00 AM, April 2, 2016 Location: Moon Area HS & MS

8353 University Blvd 904 Beaver Grade Road Moon Twp, PA 15108

The World Finals will be held at Iowa State University on May 25-28, 2016.

October 15, 2015 Registration forms due

Late October 2015 Teams Formed

November ?, 2015 Coaches Training

January 23, 2016 Spontaneous Fair

February 6, 2016Long Term Problem Dress Rehearsal

February 27, 2016 Eastern Region Tournament

April 2, 2016 State Tournament

Timeline

Thank you for attending this

SLOM Informational Meeting!

Please take an registration form.

Forms are due by Thursday, October 15th

Please consider coaching. Without coaches, there is no SLOM.

I can’t do it without you.

The kids need you.