What is the Odyssey of the Mind?

l  Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

l  Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.

l  They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level.

l  Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.

l  http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/

Benefits of the Odyssey of the Mind

l  The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process.

l  By tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems -- great and small -- for a lifetime.

l  Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems.

l  While conventional thinking has an important place in a well-rounded education, students need to learn how to think creatively and productively.

NJ Odyssey of the Mind

l  New Jersey Odyssey of the Mind is sponsored by Creativity Unlimited in New Jersey, a non-profit organzation developed for the sole purpose of bringing OotM to the students of New Jersey.

l  Two regional competitions (Liberty and Lighthouse) annually in the spring, followed by the NJ State Finals.

l  These competitions are judged by volunteers from the schools and families of our competitors.

l  The winners from the state finals in each problem and division advance to the World Finals, where they join in competition against kids from around the globe.

l  http://nj.odysseyofthemind.org/

Who can Participate?

l  Students from kindergarten through college. l  Teams are formed by division and compete against

teams in the same division and problem. l  Primary – Grades K-2 l  Division I – Grades 3-5 l  Division II -- Grades 6-8 l  Division III -- Grades 9-12 l  Division IV -- Collegiate

How are the Competitions Scored?

l  Long-Term Problem – 200 points

l  Style – 50 points l  Spontaneous – 100 points

What are the Long-Term Problems?

l  Mechanical/Vehicle - Teams design, build and operate vehicles of various sizes and with various power sources. Sometimes they drive the vehicles and sometimes the vehicles perform tasks, such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts.

l  Classics - The theme of this problem is based on the classical -- from literature to architecture to art. Whether it's writing an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing paintings to life, it's always a terrific learning experience.

l  Performance - In this problem, teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and incorporate required elements. Past themes include "morphing" objects, animals that express human emotions, and originating folktales.

What are the Long-Term Problems?

l  Structure - Teams design and build structures, using only balsa wood and glue. They test them by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds! Teams usually present a skit as part of the Style presentation.

l  Technical Performance - Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements into their solutions. They might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument, or to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

2012-2013 PROBLEM SYNOPSES

l  Problem 1: Driver’s Test l  For this problem, teams will design, build, and drive a vehicle

that will travel a course where a student driver attempts to complete tasks in order to pass a driver’s test. The vehicle will travel using one propulsion system and then travel in reverse using a different propulsion system. The vehicle will encounter a directional signal and have a Global Positioning System (GPS) that talks to the driver. The team will create a theme for the presentation that incorporates the vehicle, a driver’s test, a student, and the talking GPS.

l  Cost limit: $145 USD. l  Time limit: 8 minutes

2012-2013 PROBLEM SYNOPSES

l  Problem 2: The Not-So-Haunted House l  The team's problem is to create and present an original

performance that includes a "pop-up-style" not-so-haunted "house" where four special effects take place. The intent of the special effects will be to scare others, but they will produce a different result instead. The performance will include at least one character that experiences the special effects and a narrator who relays the experiences to the audience. It will also include a surprise ending. The special effects will be scored for originality and engineering.

l  Cost limit: $145 USD. l  Time limit: 8 minutes

2012-2013 PROBLEM SYNOPSES

l  Problem 3: It’s How We Rule l  In this Classics problem, teams will re-create a King's Court from

history and make their own Royal Court set in an original kingdom at a different time and place. The Historic Court will issue a decree that fits in with its history, while the team-created Royal Court will issue a decree that changes an everyday behavior for the people in the kingdom. The Historic court will be composed as the team wishes, but the original Royal Court will be made up of a leader, a minstrel that performs a song while playing a team-created instrument, and a jester that makes fun of the leader. The performance will include puppets and a Peoplet (a person portrayed as a puppet), and will be scored for humor.

l  Cost limit: $125 USD. l  Time limit: 8 minutes

2012-2013 PROBLEM SYNOPSES

l  Problem 4: The Stackable Structure l  Teams will design and build a structure made up of separate

components stacked on top of one another. The structure components will be made of only balsa wood and glue, and will be tested by balancing and supporting weights after they are stacked. Teams will be scored for the number of components they use in their final structure. Before they are stacked, the separate components will be integrated into an artistic representation of Earth. The team will include the stacking of the components, placement of the weights, and Earth into the theme of its performance.

l  Cost limit: $145 USD. l  Time limit: 8 minutes

2012-2013 PROBLEM SYNOPSES

l  Problem 5: Seeing is Believing l  In this problem teams are to create and present an original

performance about a community that feels threatened by something in a location it has never visited. The community townspeople will use a creative method to select one or more Travelers to visit and explore the location. While at the location, a Traveler will use a means of communication to send a message home to convince the community that there is nothing to fear. The performance will also include a narrator character, two rhymes about the travels, and a moving set piece. Cost limit: $125 USD.

l  Time limit: 8 minutes

2012-2013 PROBLEM SYNOPSES

l  Primary (Grades K-2): The World’s First Arts Festival l  The team's problem is to create and present an original

humorous performance about a prehistoric art festival. The festival will include artwork, dance, music, song, and — of course — a team-created audience to experience it all. The team will also create a backdrop that is a replica of a cave painting.

l  Cost limit: $125 USD. l  Time limit: 8 minutes

What is Style?

l  Style is defined as “element which is added to the solution of a problem and relates to the nature of the problem, but is not required to solve the problem”. Some examples are: l  costumes l  scenery l  dance l  foreign accents l  integration and/or synchronization of music (live or recorded) l  special effects (lights, sound effects, media) l  membership sign (related to theme) l  appearance of a character of choice l  props – quality and use of l  songs – original or parodies

What is Spontaneous?

l  “Spontaneous” because teams don’t know what they’ll have to do until they enter the competition room. Solving spontaneous problems teaches students to “think on their feet.” Although all seven team members may enter the room, only five team members may participate in the spontaneous portion of the competition. l  Verbal spontaneous problems require verbal

responses. They may incorporate improvisation or dramatization. Teams are scored for common and creative responses.

What is Spontaneous?

l  Hands-on spontaneous problems require teams to physically create a tangible solution. Each hands-on problem has its own specific scoring categories.

l  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.

l  Unlike the long-term (and style) problem, Spontaneous practices are “hands-on” activity for students & adults.

How can I help my child?

l  Coach l  Provide supervision and handle logistics such as scheduling

meetings, making sure paperwork is done properly, getting the team to competition, teaching them how to explore possibilities, listen to others, learn from failures, and evaluate solutions effectively through discipline, and management and organizational skills.

l  Coach or Assistant Coach l  Teach skills that team members need to execute their solution

— carpentry, sewing, dancing, etc. Parents can also supply general information on subjects such as engineering and scientific principles.

How can I help my child?

l  Spontaneous Coach l  Helps teams practice for the spontaneous portion of the

competition.

l  Officials l  Each school is required to 2 or more officials depending on

the number of teams representing the school. Required # of officials = # of teams + 1 extra official.

l  Officials must attend the Officials Training and work during the Liberty Regional and State Finals Tournaments.

l  Officials can be parents, relatives, neighbors, or any other responsible adults.

What is Outside Assistance?

l  Long-Term Problem l  It is against the rules for anyone other than the team members

to design, build or present the long-term problem solution. l  It is a “hands-on” activity for students and “hands-off” for

adults.

l  Withdrawing from the Team l  Once the team begins working on its long-term problem

solution, if a team member leaves the team for any reason, that person may not be replaced, since he/she contributed to the problem. If a team member is replaced, the team will receive an Outside Assistance penalty.

How often should each team meet?

l  Varies for each team but suggested meeting time is minimum of 3-7 hours per week.

How much does it cost?

l $50 registration fee per student covers (assuming there are 5-7 students per team): l  regional tournament fee, l  state tournament fee

What are the cost to attend World Finals?

l $2500 tournament fee per team l Travel and lodging expenses l Meals

When are the Competitions?

Important Dates l  October 19, 2013 -

Coaches Training #1 St Augustine of Canterbury School, Kendall Park, NJ

l  February 1, 2014 (or February 8 - snow date) Officials Training Fisher Middle School, Ewing NJ

When are the Competitions?

l  March ?, 2014 Liberty Regional Tournament Location: to be determined

l  March 22, 2014 Lighthouse Regional Tournament Haddonfield Memorial High School, Haddonfield, NJ

l  April 12, 2014 State Finals Ewing High School, Ewing, NJ

l  May 28 – May 31, 2014 World Finals Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Previous 5 years of Competitions

Previous 6 Years of Franklin Township’s Odyssey of the Mind

Competitions l 64 teams participated. l 39 teams qualified for the state finals. l 18 teams qualified for the world finals.

Reference

l  International Odyssey of the Mind http://odysseyofthemind.com/ l NJ Odyssey of the Mind http://nj.odysseyofthemind.org

Contact

l  If you any questions about the Franklin Township Odyssey of the Mind program, please contact FranklinOotm@gmail.com