Odyssey of the Mind2015-16

Information Meeting

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OVERVIEWDefinitionBenefitsParticipantsCompetition/Kinds of ProblemsSequenceRequirementsTeam Formation2015-2016 ProblemsImportant DatesConclusion

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WHAT IS OOTM?An international educational program/competition which provides creative problem solving opportunities for

students, K-college

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BENEFITSParticipants 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

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PARTICIPANTSANY student in grades

Kindergarten through collegeDivision 1: K-5th grade

K- 2 does Primary ProblemDivision 2: 6th through 8th gradeDivision 3: 9th through 12th gradeDivision 4: College students

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COMPETITIONPreparation 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 problem6

LONG TERM PROBLEMS (5 kinds)Mechanical/Vehicle:

Teams design, build and operate vehicles of various sizes and with

various power sources

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LONG TERM PROBLEMSTechnical:

Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements

into their solutions.

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LONG TERM PROBLEMSClassics:

Teams write and perform skit based upon the classical -- from literature

to architecture to art.

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LONG TERM PROBLEMSStructure:

Teams design and build structures using only balsa wood and glue

which are weight tested.

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LONG TERM PROBLEMSPerformance:

Teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and

incorporate required elements.

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LONG TERM PROBLEM GUIDANCEPlaces multiple constraints on the team

which they must consider as they develop their solution.

Examples for performance: Must be done 8 minutes or lessMust be done in a presentation area not larger

than 7 feet by 10 feetIs judged in many areas Could garner penalty points for a variety of

infractions

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SPONTANEOUS PROBLEMS

Verbal

Verbal Hands-On

Hands-On

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SEQUENCEParents/students attend orientation

(May/June & August/September)Students choose problem/coaches volunteerTeams form/formedMeetings held (September through March)School registers for competition (January)Teams practice/dry run (February-March)Teams compete at Regional level (March)

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REQUIREMENTSSchool membership fee ($135/first team, $100/addl teams)

Five(5) primary teams per membership CoachesPlaces to meetFunds 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)

COMMITMENTStudents TIME

Hard work Open mind Positive attitude EncouragementCreativity Punctuality Sense of humor Teamwork Respect

Parents: Funds Time Punctuality Planning

< $50/studentto participate

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TEAM FORMATIONTeams consist of 5 to 7 members Teams form in many ways throughout US:

Gifted (as defined by the school district) Try-outTest LotteryCoaches choose Coaches form Coordinator formsStudents formTeachers form

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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.

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2015-2016 PROBLEMS

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MECHANICAL/VEHICLEProblem 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

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TECHNICALProblem 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

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CLASSICSProblem 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 21

STRUCTUREProblem 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: $14522

PERFORMANCEProblem 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

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PrimaryPrimary: 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

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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) Mandatory for new coaches; Else, train with neighboring regions

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: 25-28 May 2016, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 25

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.

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Questions?

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Backup Slides

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ORIGINATIONDeveloped by Dr. Sam Micklus, professor at

Rowan UniversityChallenged 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.

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VERBAL ExampleName 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

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VERBAL HANDS-ON ExampleTeam 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 OFPAPER, 3 COTTON BALLS, PLASTIC SPOON, BALLOON, TENNIS BALL, TOOTHBRUSH, COIN, PLASTIC BAG, HAT, SURGICAL MASK, CLOTHES PIN, ERASER ETC.

Each member chooses three itemsTeam is told items are clues uncovered from a previously

unknown civilizationEach 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.

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HANDS-ON ExampleUsually the most difficultEach 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.

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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.

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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.

HANDS-ON Example (continued)

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