1. Odyssey of the Mind
Information Meeting

2. OVERVIEW Definition Benefits Participants
Competition/Kinds of Problems
Sequence
Requirements
Team Formation
Problems
Important Dates
Conclusion

3. WHAT IS OOTM?
An international educational program/competition which provides creative problem solving opportunities for students,
K-college

4. BENEFITS Participants learn: Team-building skills by working in groups
How to effectively brainstorm
How to identify the real challenge
How to seek out-of-the-box solutions
How to think on their feet
How to present solutions and answers in a large group setting
How to “open up” and express themselves
How to work independently

5. ANY student in grades Kindergarten through college
PARTICIPANTS
ANY student in grades Kindergarten through college
Division 1: K-5th grade
K- 2 does Primary Problem
Division 2: 6th through 8th grade
Division 3: 9th through 12th grade
Division 4: College students

6. COMPETITION
Preparation begins in September (or earlier if team stays together) for March regional competition
Consists of two parts:
Long term problem
Select one from five types; Primary Problem
Spontaneous problem

7. LONG TERM PROBLEMS (5 kinds)
Mechanical/Vehicle:
Teams design, build and operate vehicles of various sizes and with various power sources
Mechanical/Vehicle
Could be driven or have to perform tasks such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts
Classics
Could be writing and portraying an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing painting to life
Structure
Teams test structure by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds!
Teams present a skit as part of the Style presentation.
Technical Performance
Might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument
Might be asked to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

8. LONG TERM PROBLEMS Technical:
Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements into their solutions.
Mechanical/Vehicle
Could be driven or have to perform tasks such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts
Classics
Could be writing and portraying an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing painting to life
Structure
Teams test structure by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds!
Teams present a skit as part of the Style presentation.
Technical Performance
Might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument
Might be asked to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

9. LONG TERM PROBLEMS Classics:
Teams write and perform skit based upon the classical -- from literature to architecture to art.
Mechanical/Vehicle
Could be driven or have to perform tasks such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts
Classics
Could be writing and portraying an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing painting to life
Structure
Teams test structure by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds!
Teams present a skit as part of the Style presentation.
Technical Performance
Might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument
Might be asked to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

10. LONG TERM PROBLEMS Structure:
Teams design and build structures using only balsa wood and glue which are weight tested.
Mechanical/Vehicle
Could be driven or have to perform tasks such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts
Classics
Could be writing and portraying an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing painting to life
Structure
Teams test structure by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds!
Teams present a skit as part of the Style presentation.
Technical Performance
Might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument
Might be asked to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

11. LONG TERM PROBLEMS Performance:
Teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and incorporate required elements.
Mechanical/Vehicle
Could be driven or have to perform tasks such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts
Classics
Could be writing and portraying an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing painting to life
Structure
Teams test structure by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds!
Teams present a skit as part of the Style presentation.
Technical Performance
Might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument
Might be asked to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

12. LONG TERM PROBLEM GUIDANCE
Places multiple constraints on the team which they must consider as they develop their solution.
Examples for performance:
Must be done 8 minutes or less
Must be done in a presentation area not larger than 7 feet by 10 feet
Is judged in many areas
Could garner penalty points for a variety of infractions

13. SPONTANEOUS PROBLEMS
Verbal
Verbal Hands-On
Hands-On

14. SEQUENCE
Parents/students attend orientation (May/June & August/September)
Students choose problem/coaches volunteer
Teams form/formed
Meetings held (September through March)
School registers for competition (January)
Teams practice/dry run (February-March)
Teams compete at Regional level (March)

15. REQUIREMENTS School membership fee ($135/first team, $100/addl teams)
Five(5) primary teams per membership
Coaches
Places to meet
Funds for long term problem ($125-$145/team)
Competition registration fee ($60/team)
One Judge and One volunteer from each team (CEUs for teachers & staff who volunteer a coaches or judges)
COMMITMENT
Students TIME
Hard work Open mind Positive attitude Encouragement
Creativity Punctuality Sense of humor Teamwork Respect
Parents: Funds Time Punctuality Planning
< $50/student
to participate

16. TEAM FORMATION Teams consist of 5 to 7 members
Teams form in many ways throughout US:
Gifted (as defined by the school district)
Try-out
Test
Lottery
Coaches choose
Coaches form
Coordinator forms
Students form
Teachers form

17. Method is School’s choice
TEAM FORMATION
Method is School’s choice
NOTE: Recommend school coordinator not guarantee placement of any student on a team unless that student’s parent or guardian is a coach.

18. PROBLEMS

19. MECHANICAL/VEHICLE
Problem 1: No-Cycle Recycle (Divisions I, II, & III)
Teams will build, ride on, and drive a no-cycle, recycling vehicle.
Vehicle will pick up discarded items, adapt them in some way, and then deliver them to places to be re-used.
Vehicle must travel without pedaling for propulsion.
Driver will have an assistant worker riding on the vehicle that will help process the trash items being repurposed.
Driver and helper will make an unplanned stop along the way to perform a random act of kindness.
Cost limit: $145

20. TECHNICAL Problem 2: Something Fishy (Divisions I, II, III, & IV)
Teams will design and operate a technical solution that simulates multiple styles of fishing.
A Fisher Character will work from a designated area to "catch" three different objects that are outside of that area.
The catch will be on the move and will include something expected, something unexpected, and a new discovery.
The performance will also include a change of weather and a humorous character that portrays a potential catch and avoids being caught by the Fisher.
Cost limit: $145

21. CLASSICS
Problem 3: Classics... Aesop Gone Viral (Divisions I, II, III & IV)
Teams will create and present an original performance about a fable gone "viral.”
The problem will include a list of fables attributed to Aesop.
Teams will select one and portray it, and its moral, as going viral.
The performance will be set in a past era and include a narrator character, an artistic representation of the fable's moral, and a character that makes a wrong conclusion about the moral and is corrected.
Cost limit: $125

22. STRUCTURE Problem 4: Stack Attack! (Divisions I, II, III & IV)
Teams will design, build, and test a structure, made only of balsa wood and glue that will balance and support as much weight as possible--twice.
During weight-placement, teams can "Attack the Stack" where they will remove all of the weights except for the bottom one and the crusher board. Teams receive score for removing weights!
After Attacking the Stack, the weight placement process can be repeated to add to the total weight held.
Teams will incorporate weight-placement, repetition, and Attacking a Stack into the theme of the performance.
Cost limit: $145

23. PERFORMANCE
Problem 5: Furs, Fins, Feathers & Friends (Divisions I, II, III & IV)
Team will create and present a humorous performance depicting problem solving from the perspective of three different animals.
The animals will help a stranger, help each other, and solve a problem that threatens the survival of all animals.
During the performance, the animals will sing and dance. They will also show curiosity, sympathy, frustration, and joy.
Cost limit: $125

24. Primary Primary: Stir the Pot (Grades K-2)
Teams will create and present a humorous performance about an object that comes to life when touched by an item that turns out to be magical.
While it is alive, the animated object will encounter three other objects that will result in a dramatic change of behavior.
There will be a narrator character that explains what is happening and a character that becomes friends with the object.
The performance will also include a team-created poem, song, or dance.
Cost $125

25. IMPORTANT DATES Problems Released: During first full week in September
Coaches’ Training: Nov 21, 2015 (Freedom HS, South Riding)
Mandatory for new coaches; Else, train with neighboring regions
T-shirt Design Submissions: TBD
Spontaneous Coaches’ Workshop: Dec 12, 2015 (Park View HS, Sterling)
Regional Tournament Registration: Early Dec-Early Jan, with payment via MAIL only
T-shirt Orders Due: TBD, with payment via MAIL only
Judges’ Training: Feb 6, 2016 (Park View HS)
Regional Competitions:
Dulles Region 16: Saturday, February 27, 2016 (Park View HS)
Catoctin Region 14: Saturday, March 12, 2016 (Tuscarora HS)
Snow Date for either region: Saturday Mar 19, 2016 (Park View HS)
State Competition: Saturday, Apr 16, 2016 (Menchville HS, Newport News)
World Competition: May 2016, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

26. IN CONCLUSION, OOTM is an excellent program given benefits realized.
An OOTM program is only limited by the number of coaches available.
Students who compete are all winners no matter where they place in competition.

27. Questions?

28. Backup Slides

29. ORIGINATION
Developed by Dr. Sam Micklus, professor at Rowan University
Challenged his students to create vehicles without wheels, mechanical pie throwers and floatation devices to travel across a lake.
Evaluated solutions not only on success but on ingenuity applied and risks taken.
Students had FUN, word spread and people outside the college “wanted in.”
Led to the development of this world-wide creative problem solving competition.

30. VERBAL Example Name things that are “red”
Student should think of all of the definitions of “red,” i.e.:
an apple
a newspaper
Ready at the Switch
bread and butter
red skies at night
A map
blood
ready, set, go
Gingerbread
Giant redwoods
Readiness

31. VERBAL HANDS-ON Example
Team is given any number of group of materials/things:
PIECE OF STRING, 2 PENCILS, COFFEE FILTER, MEAT BASTER, 6 PAPER CLIPS,
2 MARBLES, PAPER CUP, PAPER PLATE, 12" SQUARE OF ALUMINUM FOIL,
24" PIECE OF YARN, RULER OR YARDSTICK, NAPKIN (PAPER OR CLOTH),
2 RUBBER BANDS, BUSINESS-SIZE ENVELOPE, 6 MARSHMALLOWS, SHEET OF
PAPER, 3 COTTON BALLS, PLASTIC SPOON, BALLOON, TENNIS BALL,
TOOTHBRUSH, COIN, PLASTIC BAG, HAT, SURGICAL MASK, CLOTHES PIN,
ERASER ETC.
Each member chooses three items
Team is told items are clues uncovered from a previously unknown civilization
Each must describe how those objects may have been used in that civilization’s way of life.
Example: Meat baster may have been used to water plants in a greenhouse.

32. HANDS-ON Example Usually the most difficult
Each team is given 40 pieces of spaghetti, 15 pieces of elbow macaroni, 25 miniature marshmallows, 10 toothpicks, 4 straws, and 5 adhesive mailing labels, 5 pounds of penny nails and a pint size plastic container.
Team has 7 minutes to make a structure and 2 minutes to test it. They may talk during build.

33. HANDS-ON Example (continued)
Structure is scored on height and strength.
Must rest on the surface of the table and may not lean against a wall or be supported by anything else.
After completed team must place the container on top of structure.
Judges will measure height from the surface of the table to the top of the container.
Must be at least 8 inches high to receive score.

34. HANDS-ON Example (continued)
Once measured team must begin placing weights in container, one at a time.
Weight must be held for 3 seconds to count for score.
Problem is finished when structure breaks, when all the weights have been used, or when time ends.