Mindforce “Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” - Edward de Bono

What is mindforce? Creative Problem-Solving Competition Based upon the idea that creativity is a skill that can be taught and further developed with practice Focus is to develop divergent, independent-thinking abilities (thinking outside the box, taking the path less travelled)through a challenging, but FUN, learning process Team-effort, based loosely upon a sports model Participants are K- Grade 12, and compete within divisions MINDFORCE develops real-life communication and brainstorming skills, and rewards creativity and “calculated” risk-taking in the solution of complex problems

GECDSB’s Creative Problem Solving timeline Greater Essex students have been participating in creative problem solving for 30+ years 2004-2005 school year – Odyssey of the Mind makes a come back in Greater Essex 2009 – Greater Essex hosts the Provincial Odyssey of the Mind competition 2010 – a new direction – creative problem solving for all

MINDFORCE allows kids to use their imaginations to interpret and solve complex problems while encouraging some fun along the way!

Problem solving - How does it work? Teams of 7 students select one of three ‘long term’ problems and spend months developing their solution Vehicle, technical, classic Teams compete in divisions Specific criteria that is open ended – no two solutions are the same Teams are responsible for all aspects of their solution: building sets, writing scripts, creating technical elements, making costumes, etc. Their entire solution is presented in an 8 minute skit Teams are given a spending limit for solving their problem. All items must be accounted for, HOWEVER the GOAL should be to spend as little money possible – reusing and recycling items, creating things from other objects, etc. is encouraged and will be reflected in scoring! Creative elements – in addition to required scoring elements, creative elements allow for teams to really show their creativity – 2 required elements and 2 team choices

This Year’s problems… This year’s theme – Pop Culture

Problem 1 - #Superpower The team’s mission is to design and build a vehicle that travels using a pulley system while carrying a superhero’s most important belongings – his or her costume. The creative emphasis is on the design and way in which the vehicle is powered, the humorous theme of the performance and the social media app that ties it all together! Must be powered by a pulley system Team created music Costume made completely from recycled materials Must contain it’s own original hashtag

Problem 2 – Pop! Your team must present an original performance including the development of a team-created device that Pops a balloon. The creative emphasis is on how the Pop Culture resonates with the viewer through characters, taglines and jingles, pop culture from specific eras and ‘one liners.’ Team created sound effects Popular dance moves from era selected by team A monochromatic costume created entirely from recycled materials A teams created device that has an action, that causes a reaction, that causes another action and then pops a balloon

Problem 3 – Give and Take The team’s problem is to create and present a performance in which the members of a society are debating the reintegration of popular culture. A main character travels to an unfamiliar twentieth century decade, is exposed to various popular culture and determines what to bring back to their society to convince those who ‘advocate sameness and conformity’ of the merits of popular culture. Costumes appropriate for decade selected Tableau Based on the novel ‘The Giver’ A team created art piece

Primary Problem – Graphic Novella The team’s problem is to create a performance that promotes the literary benefits of Graphic Novels to the audience while highlighting different elements of Graphic Novels. Teams will be inspired by the storylines of Graphic Novels and may use characteristics of their favourite(s) to conveying their message. In keeping with the popular culture theme, teams will use different elements from today’s popular culture to add to their performance. Must include a story panel Convey audio information in an visual manner A character who is reluctant to read at first who then discovers their love of reading

More Problem solving – QUICK WITS Teaches thinking on your feet The problem is unknown HOWEVER practice helps teams get ready Encourages to think out of the box Points given for common and creative responses Verbal, hands-on, or verbal hands-on Top secret

It wouldn’t be possible without Our AMZAZING Volunteers! Writing Teams Coaches Committee Members Judges

You have to see it for yourself… Please Join us! Follow us on Twitter at #mindforce2019