Welcome to Odyssey of the Mind Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Elementary School Think Where we...

 And above all... Have FUN! Have FUN!

What is OM?  International program  Teamwork — up to 7 kids  Solve problems  8-minute skit  Spontaneous  International program  Teamwork — up to 7 kids  Solve problems  8-minute skit  Spontaneous

Primary Problem Solvers  Humor and creativity count!

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND depends on VOLUNTEERS!  Coaches = REALLY IMPORTANT!  Assistant/Co-Coaches  Parents  Event Volunteers (1/2 per team)  Judges (1 per team)  Coordinators  Regional Directors  Coaches = REALLY IMPORTANT!  Assistant/Co-Coaches  Parents  Event Volunteers (1/2 per team)  Judges (1 per team)  Coordinators  Regional Directors

HOW is OM Done?  Coaches identified  Teams cannot form without coaches!!  Coaches say when they can meet  Students identified  Sign up based on times/friends  Team forms  Some already formed  Coordinators/coaches help create  Team meets  Coaches and teams take over from here  Organize – first meeting (with mentor?)  Work on team-building  Get all the problems to review  Choose problem  When SURE team is final:  Begin work on long-term problem  Coaches identified  Teams cannot form without coaches!!  Coaches say when they can meet  Students identified  Sign up based on times/friends  Team forms  Some already formed  Coordinators/coaches help create  Team meets  Coaches and teams take over from here  Organize – first meeting (with mentor?)  Work on team-building  Get all the problems to review  Choose problem  When SURE team is final:  Begin work on long-term problem

Key Dates  Teams form and hold 1 st Mtg.Oct/Nov  Coaches Training (Regional)Nov  Coaches Q&AsJan  Team Registration DeadlineJan  Need ½ volunteer (2 hrs)  Need judge (2 days)  TJ Spontaneous Invitational Jan  Judges TrainingFeb TBD  Regional Tournament Mar  Teams form and hold 1 st Mtg.Oct/Nov  Coaches Training (Regional)Nov  Coaches Q&AsJan  Team Registration DeadlineJan  Need ½ volunteer (2 hrs)  Need judge (2 days)  TJ Spontaneous Invitational Jan  Judges TrainingFeb TBD  Regional Tournament Mar

Hey! What’s the Problem?  6 long-term problems  Design and build vehicles  A solution based on the Classics  An original performance  Build a balsa wood structure  Solve a technical problem  Primary – Present something unique  6 long-term problems  Design and build vehicles  A solution based on the Classics  An original performance  Build a balsa wood structure  Solve a technical problem  Primary – Present something unique

Hey! What’s the Problem?  3 kinds of spontaneous problems  Verbal Name things that are green Finish the sentence: “If I could travel in time, I would……”  Verbal-hands-on  Hands-on Build a bridge out of straws, tape, and paper  3 kinds of spontaneous problems  Verbal Name things that are green Finish the sentence: “If I could travel in time, I would……”  Verbal-hands-on  Hands-on Build a bridge out of straws, tape, and paper

Hey! What’s the Problem?  Spontaneous problems  Judged on whether they are: Creative Humorous Common  Spontaneous problems  Judged on whether they are: Creative Humorous Common

HOW is OM Done?  NO OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE!  Kids RULE!  Coaches coach, lead, guide  Parents support, don’t interfere  KIDS come up with ideas  KIDS build things  KIDS write scripts  KIDS make stuff  NO OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE!  Kids RULE!  Coaches coach, lead, guide  Parents support, don’t interfere  KIDS come up with ideas  KIDS build things  KIDS write scripts  KIDS make stuff

Elements of Success FUN !  Commitment – Motivation comes from within:  Kids – 2 hours/week  Parents  Coaches – 2-5 hours/week  Coordinators  Coaches, coaches, coaches!  Main  Assistant or Co-  Snacks or spontaneous stuff  Houses or school for meetings  Support  Coaches training ( regional)  Mentors, library  Focus on –  The PROCESS!  Having...  Commitment – Motivation comes from within:  Kids – 2 hours/week  Parents  Coaches – 2-5 hours/week  Coordinators  Coaches, coaches, coaches!  Main  Assistant or Co-  Snacks or spontaneous stuff  Houses or school for meetings  Support  Coaches training ( regional)  Mentors, library  Focus on –  The PROCESS!  Having...

Gravely’s “THE NOT SO HAUNTED HOUSE TEAM” PERFORMING AT THE VIRGINIA STATE COMPETITION April, 2014 PERFORMING AT THE VIRGINIA STATE COMPETITION April, 2014

Gravely Elementary School’s Regional 1 st Place Winner

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!  COACH A TEAM  CO-COACH A TEAM  JUDGE AT THE REGIONAL COMPETION AT PATRIOT HS  VOLUNTEER AT THE REGIONAL COMPETITION AT PATRIOT HS YOU’LL HAVE FUN!  COACH A TEAM  CO-COACH A TEAM  JUDGE AT THE REGIONAL COMPETION AT PATRIOT HS  VOLUNTEER AT THE REGIONAL COMPETITION AT PATRIOT HS YOU’LL HAVE FUN! 15

For More Information  Gravely School Coordinator  Claire Machosky Phone:  Websites  (Region 12)  (VA)  (National)  Gravely School Coordinator  Claire Machosky Phone:  Websites  (Region 12)  (VA)  (National)