1. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
A Creative Adventure
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

2. Who runs Odyssey of the Mind?
Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Who runs Odyssey of the Mind?
Creativity Unlimited is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, that provides the Odyssey of the Mind program.
All volunteer driven!
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

3. What is Odyssey of the Mind?
Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
What is Odyssey of the Mind?
An international, creative problem-solving program for students in kindergarten through college
Founded in 1978 by Dr. Sam Micklus, Professor Emeritus, Glassboro State College, New Jersey
Today, hundreds of thousands of students in all fifty states and over thirty countries participate in the annual programs.
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

4. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
What is Odyssey of the Mind?
9/15/2018
Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

5. What is needed to compete in OM?
Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
What is needed to compete in OM?
Find coaches (2 per team preferred)
Become a member
Form teams (maximum of 7 members)
Choose a problem
Work on problem solutions
Go to competition!
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

6. How are the divisions configured?
Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
How are the divisions configured?
Primary – students in grades K -2
Division I – students in grades K - 5
Division II – students in grades 6 - 8
Division III – students in grades
Division IV - Collegiate
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

7. What do teams do in competition?
Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
What do teams do in competition?
Teams are judged in three areas:
Long-Term Problem-solution
Spontaneous Problem-solving
Style
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

8. Three Components of Odyssey
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9. Types of Long-Term Problems
Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Types of Long-Term Problems
Vehicular
Technical
Classical
Structural
Theatrical
Primary (non-competitive)
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

10. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Style
Costumes, props, music, art, and other creative performance elements “market” the solution.
Long-term is the “HOW” - Style is the “WOW”.
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

11. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Spontaneous
Day of Tournament
Limited solution time
Each team is given the same problem.
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

12. Spontaneous: Verbal/Hand-On (example)
You have 1 minute to think and 5 minutes to respond. You can ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You cannot talk to each other at any time.
Each of you has a pipe cleaner and a poker chip. Your problem is to create something out of them and comment on it.
You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.
Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins, it will not be stopped, even if the judge asks you to repeat a response, or to clarify it, or to give a more appropriate response.
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13. Spontaneous: Verbal/Hand-On
You cannot skip your turn, give the same response as someone else, or pass. If one member is stuck, the team is stuck.
Each of you has 7 response cards. You will take turns in order. After you show each new creation and give a response, you will place on of your cards in the container. The next team member will then show their creation, respond, place a card in the container, and so on.
You will be finished when response time ends or when you have used all of your cards.
Each of you has a pipe cleaner and a poker chip. Your problem is to create something out of them and comment on it.
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14. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Unique Features
Cost Limits
Outside Assistance prohibited
Coaches facilitate but may not solve
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

15. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Unique Features
Encourages team-work
Values diverse talents
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

16. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Time Commitment
Practices are 1 day a week after school for 1.5 to 2 hours
Program begins in Oct/Nov and runs through the end of March
Some extra practices for sets and props design may be established by individual teams
If a team decides to go to World Finals practices continue through the end of May
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

17. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
What does it cost?
Odyssey of the Mind is very affordable!
Each school’s membership fee of $ will be paid by the district.
(5 problems = 5 teams of 7 members)
State tournament fee for each team - $25
Cost of problem-solution materials (most materials are reusable items that come from home)
Participation fee determined by each individual school
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Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind

18. What are my responsibilities as a student team member?
Create solutions
Sign team contract
Build props and sets
Attend weekly practice
Bring in materials
Come prepared
Attend the state competition on
Be respectful
March 12, 2016 at
Brainstorm ideas
Friendly Hills MS
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19. What are my responsibilities as a parent?
Make sure your child attends practices
Allow time to work on things at home
Keep yourself from offering ideas, suggestions, or hands-on assistance
Get your child to the state tournament on time – March 12, 2016 held at Friendly Hills Middle School
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20. What are my responsibilities as a coach?
Help facilitate decisions but allow kids to make all decisions.
Arrive on time to meet
your team in your practice space
Ask guiding questions.
Communicate with parents and your school contact
Make sure all kids are picked up at end of practice
Refrain from offering ideas to the solution.
Help your team fill out forms for competition
Teach kids fair decision making strategies
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21. Coaches Training
There will be a coaches training on Saturday, November 7th from 3-7 p.m. at Wentworth Library in West St. Paul
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22. Odyssey of the Mind: It's All About Creativity . . .and More!
Need More Information?
National Website:
Minnesota Website:
District OM Coordinator:
Sheryl Kasella
9/15/2018
Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind