NC Odyssey of the Mind Awareness Session

NCOM Eastern Region To Provide Creative Problem-Solving International Creative Problem-Solving Program NCOM Eastern Region Mission To Provide Creative Problem-Solving Opportunities for everyone and To Foster Original and Divergent Thinking Teams, Coaches, Practices, Meets

History of Odyssey of the Mind The program was started by a NJ College Educator, Dr. C. Samuel Micklus (Dr. Sam) Dr. Sam challenged students in his courses to solve assignments in unusual and creative ways. At the end of the semester, students presented their solutions in a competition In 1978-1979, the Odyssey of the Mind program began. Originally it was called Olympics of the Mind North Carolina was one of the 1st States outside NJ to participate and compete in an OOTM World Finals (we’re currently in our 26th year). Non-profit organizations in individual states/countries operate the program in their area Creative Competitions, Inc. (the international organization) was formed to develop the problems and administer the program at the national, and later, the international level

OOTM develops real-life communication and brainstorming skills, and rewards creativity and “calculated” risk-taking in the solution of complex problems Focus is to develop divergent, independent-thinking skills (thinking outside the box, taking the path less traveled) through a challenging, AND FUN, learning process

What do we mean by divergent-thinking? Convergent Problem Solving - for every problem, there is just one correct answer Divergent Problem Solving - for every problem, there may be many correct answers Odyssey of the Mind encourages young people to explore many possible answers and to be creative in finding a solution Odyssey of the Mind allows kids to use their imaginations to interpret and solve complex problems in a FUN way!

Odyssey of the Mind Involves… HARD WORK FUN New Challenges The Most Creative and Original Solution Possible Presentation Skills Group Dynamics Planning Analysis Trial and Error Applied Education DOING YOUR BEST

Memberships & Team Structure Memberships are from: schools, clubs, churches, libraries, community groups and home schools Teams of up to 7 members P-DI-DII-DIII-DIV Primary: K-2 Div I: Grades K-5 Div II: Grades 6 – 8 Div III Grades 9 - 12 Div IV: Enrollment in College (based upon highest grade team member)

Solutions to the problems are ENTIRELY that of the team Solutions to the problems are ENTIRELY that of the team. No OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE is allowed OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE Questions – YES Answers - NO

Pizzazz, Sparkle, Polish The Three Components of OOTM Spontaneous Long-Term 100 Points On the Spot Anything Goes 3 Types Verbal Hands On - Hybrid 200 Points Specific Rules Open-Ended Solution Presented in Skit Form (8-min) Style 50 Points Elaboration of LT Pizzazz, Sparkle, Polish Team Chosen Elements Total 350 Points Long-Term + Style + Spontaneous = Total Score

The Long-Term Problems There are six new problems each year (Aug -Sept) 200 Points P1 Vehicle – “Odyssey Road Rally” * P2 Technical – “DinoStories” P3 Classics – “The Wonderful Muses” P4 Structure – “Tee Structure” P5 Theatrical – “The Eccentrics! ” Primary – Demonstration Only “Rude Awakenings”* *Not all problems are offered in all age Divisions

Performance Time Limit: 8 minutes There is a Cost Limit to each problem ($125-145) - Only the materials used in competition are included in the cost - Duct tape & cardboard, lawn-sale value, scavenging - Some items are exempt from cost, these are listed in the Odyssey of the Mind™ Program Guide

What do OMER’s Need? Imagination Perspiration Creativity Travel Time Coach Judge Volunteer

Commitment Participation requires a commitment by Team members and Coaches Teams generally work on their LT Problems from Oct-Feb. Meeting times vary by age and team. In general, teams meet twice a week. This is a very large commitment and not all teams make it to their regional tournament therefore: EVERY TEAM PRESENTING A SOLUTION IS A WINNER ! One team is awarded 1st Place for each LT Problem and Division In NC 1st and 2nd Place Teams are invited to attend the State Tournament.

Support: Books, Videos, Web pages, Telephone. Coaches All Volunteers Regional Training Support: Books, Videos, Web pages, Telephone. www.odysseyofthemind.org www.ncom.org www.ncome.org regional-director@ncome.org

Pre-tournament or at tournament Judge Training Tournament Temperament Volunteer 2 – 4 hours No training Pre-tournament or at tournament

Expenses Membership in Odyssey of the Mind International $135 per school or org. NCOM Regional & State Registration $105 per team. $80 per team Early Bird before (date TBA) Coaches’ Training per Coach $20 ($15 if pre-registered) Team Support Snacks & Supplies R & D Judge Volunteer Travel to Tournaments

Timeline Late August – Mid December October 27, 2007 Purchase international membership October 27, 2007 Eastern Region Coaches Training November 17ish, (TBA) Technology Fair December 12, 2007 Early Bird Registration Deadline January 26ish (TBA) Spontaneous Fair February 9, 2008 Eastern Region Judges Training March 8ish (TBA) Eastern Region Tournament

Exact Date and Location TBA NCOM State Tournament April 5 ish, 2008 Coastal Region Exact Date and Location TBA

World Finals - 2008 May 31 thru June 3 University of Maryland – College Park, Maryland An International Extravaganza The Odyssey of the Mind is truly a worldwide competition. Participants include teams from Australia, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Siberia, Singapore, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, West Africa, and practically every state in the U.S. The annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an event to behold. It embodies the international spirit of creativity!

North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind Carolyn Braly, State Director - bralyc@coastalnet.com Regional Directors: Central Dick Raley - rraley@bellsouth.net Jeff Newell - jwnewell@duke-energy.com Coastal Betsy Adams - adamsbets@hotmail.com Carolyn Braly - bralyc@coastalnet.com Eastern Tom Hansen - regional-director@ncome.org Northern Katherine Graham - northern-region-ncom@triad.rr.com Western Barbara Parris – barbaraparris@verizon.net

www.odysseyofthemind.com

www.ncom.org

www.ncome.org