1. What is Odyssey of the Mind?
Is Odyssey a good activity for my child?

2. Solving divergent problems, that is those with more than one answer
Odyssey of the Mind, founded in 1978, is an International creative problem-solving program for students K-12. “The mission of Odyssey of the Mind is to provide creative problem-solving opportunities for every student and to foster original. . .thinking. . . By working in teams, participants learn teamwork, the appreciation and understanding of others, and that a group is more powerful than an individual. They develop a sense of self-respect and respect for others through activities such as role-playing and brainstorming.” Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide

3. The Basics
Teams of 5-7 students (K-12) work together under the guidance of adult coaches to solve one of 6 new problems presented every year.
Teams compete in one of 4 divisions, Primary (K-2); Division I- grades 3-5; Division II – grades 6-8 and Division III – High School.
Student teams from 35 States and over 15 countries work on these problems starting in September/October, culminating in a Regional Tournament in February/March where they compete in their Division (age group). Winning teams advance to the State Tournament in March, and potentially the World Finals in May.
The students do all of the work: every idea, every word in the script, every prop, costume, step, music, device and contraption MUST come from the team of students! (No OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE)

4. Competition
Each team competes in two areas, the Long-Term Problem and the Spontaneous Problem
Long-Term problems are worked on from September- February
Examples of Spontaneous problems are practiced at each team meeting, but the actual problem will not be known until the competition

5. The Long-Term Problems:
There are six categories of Long-Term problems each year written by the World Headquarters. The team will choose one to work on for the year. The Long-Term problem is to be presented in an 8-minute skit. Each year there is a new primary problem for K-2, and five problems in the following categories for upper divisions 1) Vehicle 2) Technical Performance 3) Classics 4) Performance/Comedy 5) Structure (Balsa Wood)
These problems also have required elements, for example, maybe the performance needs to include a special character or must be humorous or involve a piece of art work from a given list or take place in a certain place and time.

6. How are the Problems Scored?
These problems have required elements, for example, the performance might require special characters, a theme, or to be set in a certain place and time.

7. Example: The Long-Term Problem for St Rose Team in 2016-2017
Problem 5: To Be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger  Creativity is being taken away from the world, and it is up to Odyssey teams to rescue it! Teams will create and present a humorous performance about an unexpected superhero that encounters three different situations where it must save creativity in some way. The superhero will change appearance when it displays its superpowers and go back to blending in with society when not. The performance will also include a clumsy sidekick, a nemesis character, a choreographed battle, and a cliffhanger ending. Cost limit $125 USD.

8. Two Types of Spontaneous (“Spont”) Problems
Competition takes place at a regional “Spont” tournament in January, and along with the Long-Term problem as a part of the Regional Tournament in February
The Spont problem is either a verbal problem or a hands-on problem, or a combination of the two
Example of a verbal Spont problem: Complete this phrase: “I am sitting in the dark because…”
List all the possibilities the Team can come up with in x amount of time. Out-of-the-box answers, play on words, etc., get more points

9. Spontaneous: The Hands-On Spontaneous
Or the Spont problem may involve manipulating materials, for example the team may be asked to build a the tallest tower using only straws, paper clips, rubber bands, toothpicks and MARSHMALLOWS!

10. No Outside Assistance (OA)
Coaches are allowed to teach them skills (or invite Expert Guests to come in) such hot gluing, sawing, harmonizing, painting. Skills are taught by demonstration, then the Teams must practice and ultimately utilize the skills on their own.
Coaches teach team-building and brainstorming skills, model cooperative speaking, and help set a schedule. We are allowed to suggest new approaches, draw their attention to things they are forgetting or aren’t working. But no direct or hands-on help. This is a major tenet of Odyssey.
Only the Team can write script, design costumes, build props, choose music. Coaches cannot touch or help with any part of what the Team will take with them on the stage.

11. Most importantly, Coaches are to be supportive of the Team’s efforts and understand that in Odyssey, failure is not only an option, but sometimes inevitable, and is an opportunity for growth and for learning

12. Student Time Commitment
This year we will have a team of five (min) to seven (max) 3rd and 4th graders.
The regular team practices will be weekly from 2:50-4:30 on Tuesdays. As the Odyssey season progresses, we will have several Saturday morning practices to shop for materials, build and paint props, design costumes, etc. See the list of important dates.
Team success depends on a commitment by every student to attend practices and prop days and Competitions.

13. Parent Time Commitment
Towards December/January the Team will need transportation for a “field trip” to shop for props and costumes. They will also need transportation for their props – delivery the night before the Regional Tournament Day (a truck or a large van), and pick-up.
Each competing team must provide two volunteers to be a judges -- another teacher or a parent -- for part of the day on Regional Tournament Day. There is also a mandatory training.
Each competing team must also provide two parent volunteers at Santa Rosa High School the Friday night before the Tournament, to help set up.
Judging and Tournament Set-Up will count towards Service Hours.

14. Costs
St. Rose School will pay for the team memberships (World and State organizations) and the fees to enter the competitions (Spont Day and the Regional Tournament).
Each Long-Term problem has a cost limit and the team must provide a detailed record of direct and in-kind costs when they perform. This levels the playing field so that all teams spend the same amount of money on their solution, usually between $ $145. Many items teams can use are free items that are commonly available. St. Rose will ask for $50 from each team member this year to cover the Spont and Long-Term Problem costs, and the cost of a team t-shirt

15. Important Dates
Please see the separate document with a list of all important dates including Team practices and Prop Days.
Tues., September 19: Registration forms due to Front Office.
Tues., September 26, 3:00-4:00: First Team Meeting with Students and Any Available Parents who can come
Sat., January 13, 9:00-4:00: Spont Day Tournament
Sat., February 24, 8:00-5:00: Regional Tournament
Also – for mandatory two judges per team:
Sat., Feb. 3: Judges Training, 9:00 to approx. 2:00 (each team must provide two judges for part of the day of the Regional Tournament Feb. 24th)

16. At St. Rose
We believe that Odyssey of the Mind inspires kids, and also prepares skillful, out-of-the-box thinkers. They experience both the leadership and team-building skills necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st century. And they have a lot of FUN!

17. St. Rose Odyssey of the Mind
If you are interested, look for more information at
Suzanne Dooling (Head Coach this year)
or Jessica Marshall (Spont Captain this year)