Welcome to Odyssey of the Mind Orientation Meeting

Welcome to Odyssey of the Mind Orientation Meeting!

What is Odyssey? Ø International Problem Solving Competition w Regional / State / World Competitions Ø Problems Defined By World Organization w Long-Term (8 -Minute Skit) w Spontaneous Ø Teamwork w 7 Team Members w K-12 grades (+ college)

Who is Odyssey? Ø Creative Competition International (CCI) w Organizes World Competition w www. odysseyofthemind. com Ø Virginia Opportunities In Creativity Explorations (Voices) w State Competition w www. vaodyssey. org Ø No. VA South (Region 12) w Regional Competition w www. novasouth. org

Who’s on an Odyssey Team? Ø Coaches / Co-Coaches / Assistants Ø Team Members w w Primary Division = 1 2 3 K-2 (7 kids) = K-5 (7 kids) = 6 -8 (7 kids) = 9 -12 (7 kids) Ø Tournament Day w 1 Volunteer Per Team – 2 Hours w 1 Judge Per Team – 2 Day Commitment

Where is Odyssey? Ø Someone’s House or Other Location w Wherever Coach and Team Decide w Maybe at School or Other Meeting Place w Recommend Two-Deep Leadership Ø Need w 8’ x 10’ Minimum (Stage) w Storage for Props w Room to Paint and Build

When is Odyssey? Ø Coaches Training November w One Saturday in November Ø Team Meetings Nov-March w Coach / Team Decide w Usually 1½-2 hours Weekly w More Frequent Near Competition Day Ø Regional Competition March Ø State Competition April Ø World Competition May Check www. novasouth. org For Dates

How are Teams Formed? Ø Coaches / Students Identified w w w Teams Cannot Form Without Coaches!! Coaches Say When They Can Meet Kids Sign Up and Teams Form Based On Times Coordinators Register Teams With CCI and Region 12 Coaches Take Over With Teams From Here Ø Team Meets w Organize – First Meeting (With Mentor? ) w Work On Team-building Exercises Ø When SURE Team Is Final w Teams Get The Long-Term Problems To Review w Choose Problem w Begin Work On Long-term Problem

How Much is Odyssey? Ø School Membership Cost $135 w Membership Is One Team / Division / Problem Ø Team Costs (2013 -2014) w w Registration = $75 Coaches Training = $25 Balsa Crush-a-thon = $20 (Optional) Spontaneous Workshop = $80 (Optional) Ø Other Shared Team Costs w T-shirts w Materials for Skits and Spontaneous Problems w Snacks

How Much is Odyssey? Ø “Competition Cost” ($50 -$140) w Total Value of Items on Stage w “Cost limit” is NOT individual fee Ø Examples: w w Cardboard Box = $0 (junk) Feather Hat = $5 (bought) Feather Mask = $1 (made) Old pants = 25¢ (yard sale price) Ø Creativity counts! w Thrift stores, Yard Sales, Basements, Attics, Neighbors, Trash day, Donations w See Free Costs in Program Guide (Wheelchairs, Shoes, Electric cords etc. )

How is Odyssey Run? Ø No Outside Assistance! w Kids Rule! w Coaches Coach, Lead, Guide, Teach w Parents Support, Don’t Interfere Ø KIDS Come Up With Ideas Build Things Write Scripts Make Stuff

HOW is OM Done? Ø Parents / Adults w Snacks w Transportation w Team-building w Skill-building w Cheer-leading Ø Kids Rule!

Odyssey Problems Ø Ø Ø Problem Problem Primary 1 - Vehicle 2 - Technical 3 - Classics 4 – Structure (Balsa) 5 – Drama Performance – K-2 nd Grade Ø Spontaneous

Problem 1 - Vehicle Ø Design and Build Vehicles

Problem 2 - Technical Ø Solve a technical problem – usually involving devices

Problem 3 - Classics Ø A solution based on the Classics

Problem 4 – Structure (Balsa) Ø Build a Balsa Wood Structure Ø Crush It

Problem 5 - Performance Ø An original performance Ø Usually includes song and dance

Primary – K-2 nd Grade Ø Present Something For Fun Ø Participation Problem - Not Judged

Spontaneous Ø 7 Minute Timed Competition Ø 5 Team Members Compete – 2 Sit Out Ø Unique To Tournament Competition Day

Spontaneous Ø Three Problem Types w Verbal w Name Things That Are Green w Verbal-hands-on w Using Only Your Fingers, Make A Different Noise And Explain What The Sound Represents. w Hands-on w Build A Bridge Using Straws, Tape, And Paper Ø Judged As Creative Or Common

Key Timeline Ø 1 st Team Meeting Oct / Nov Ø Coaches Training (Regional) Nov Ø Coaches Q&As Jan Ø Team Registration Deadline Jan w Need Volunteer (2 hrs on Tournament Day) w Need Judge (2 day Commitment) Ø TJ Spontaneous Invitational Jan Ø Judges Training Feb Ø Regional Tournament Mar

Elements of Success Ø Team Commitment Comes From Within w Kids – 2 hours/week w Coaches – 5 hours/week, shared w Coordinators Ø Coaches, Judges, and Volunteers! w Teams Must Have All of The Above Ø Regional Support w Coordinator Liaison w Coaches Training w Judges Training Prior To Competition Ø Focus on – The PROCESS! w Have Fun. . .