1. An experience in creativity

2.  Promotes creativity by getting teams to solve divergent problems; problems with more than one solution  Builds relationships  Helps them learn that a group is more powerful than an individual

3.  Solve a Spontaneous Problem, as a group  Demonstrate a solution to a Long Term Problem, as a group  Practice, Practice, Practice  Come to the Competition, March 1, 2014, Palm Springs High School, 8 AM-5 PM  State Competition? Oh Yeah!, Brentwood, CA

4.  Kids have no idea what is going to be asked of them  2-3 minutes to prepare  6-8 minutes to perform  We will practice this, and practice this, and practice this!

5. Verbal spontaneous problems require verbal responses. They may incorporate improvisation or dramatization. Teams are scored for common and creative responses. Name uses for a Jack-o-Lantern after Halloween

6. Hands-on spontaneous problems require teams to physically create a tangible solution. Each hands-on problem has its own specific scoring categories. The team is given an assortment of everyday items and told to create a vehicle that will travel between two points.

7. Verbal/hands-on spontaneous problems require teams to create a tangible solution and include some type of verbal component, for example, creating a story about the solution. Teams are scored for both the tangible solution and the verbal presentation. Here are two paper plates. Say something about them, and pass them on.

8.  A problem that involves time and creativity to solve.  Student come up with the solution, practice, make their own props, and perform…all on their own. Style  They will be judged on how well they solve the problem along with their Style.

9. Teams design, build and operate one or more vehicles. Sometimes they’re small, other times they’re big enough to ride on and transport other items. Generally the vehicles are scored on their propulsion system, and for traveling and completing different tasks.

10. Teams are scored for performance elements as well as for some type of technical achievement. Usually, this problem requires the team to create one or more devices that perform certain functions or tasks.

11. This is a performance problem based on something “classical.” It could involve mythology, art, music, archaeology, or anything else that is classical in nature.

12. Teams design and build a structure out of only balsa wood and glue. They test the structure by adding Olympic-size weights until it breaks. Each year there is an element of the problem that sets it apart from other years, for example, having the structure endure the impact of a ball propelled down a ramp.

13. This is strictly a performance problem, where scoring is based mostly on the performance and elements within the performance. It sometimes requires a specific character, sometimes humor, sometimes an original story, but it’s always fun!

14.  Decide what Problem you want to solve  Come on Thursdays, 2:20-3:30 to practice