NC Odyssey of the Mind Awareness Session

NC OdysseyNC Odyssey of theof the MindMind

Awareness SessionAwareness Session

International Creative Problem-Solving ProgramInternational Creative Problem-Solving Program

NCOM Eastern RegionNCOM Eastern RegionMissionMission

To Provide Creative Problem-Solving To Provide Creative Problem-Solving

Opportunities for everyoneOpportunities for everyoneandand

To Foster Original and Divergent ThinkingTo Foster Original and Divergent Thinking

Teams, Coaches, Practices, MeetsTeams, Coaches, Practices, Meets

History of History of Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind

The program was started by a NJ CollegeThe program was started by a NJ CollegeEducator, Dr. C. Samuel Micklus (Dr. Sam)Educator, Dr. C. Samuel Micklus (Dr. Sam)

Dr. Sam challenged students in his courses Dr. Sam challenged students in his courses to solve assignments in unusual and creativeto solve assignments in unusual and creativeways. At the end of the semester, students ways. At the end of the semester, students presented their solutions in a competitionpresented their solutions in a competition

In 1978-1979, the In 1978-1979, the Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind program began. program began. Originally it was called Olympics of the MindOriginally it was called Olympics of the Mind

North Carolina was one of the 1North Carolina was one of the 1stst States outside NJ to participate and compete States outside NJ to participate and compete in an OOTM World Finals (we’re currently in our 21st year). Non-profit in an OOTM World Finals (we’re currently in our 21st year). Non-profit organizations in individual states/countries operate the program in their areaorganizations in individual states/countries operate the program in their area Creative Competitions, Inc. (the international organization) was formed Creative Competitions, Inc. (the international organization) was formed to develop the problems and administer the program at the national, to develop the problems and administer the program at the national, and later, the international leveland later, the international level

OOTM develops real-life communication and OOTM develops real-life communication and brainstorming skills, and rewards creativity and brainstorming skills, and rewards creativity and “calculated” risk-taking in the solution of complex “calculated” risk-taking in the solution of complex problemsproblems

Focus is to develop divergent, independent-thinking Focus is to develop divergent, independent-thinking skills(thinking outside the box, taking the path less skills(thinking outside the box, taking the path less traveled) through a challenging, AND traveled) through a challenging, AND FUNFUN, learning , learning processprocess

What do we mean by What do we mean by divergent-thinkingdivergent-thinking??

Convergent Problem SolvingConvergent Problem Solving - for every problem, there is just one correct answer - for every problem, there is just one correct answer

Divergent Problem SolvingDivergent Problem Solving - for every problem, there may be - for every problem, there may be manymany correct answers correct answers

Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind encourages young people to explore encourages young people to explore manymany possible answers and to be possible answers and to be creativecreative in finding a solution in finding a solution

Odyssey of the Mind Odyssey of the Mind allows kids to use their imaginations allows kids to use their imaginations to interpret and solve complex problems in a to interpret and solve complex problems in a FUNFUN way! way!

Odyssey of the Mind Involves…

The Most

Creative and

Original Solution Possible

Memberships & Team StructureMemberships & Team StructureMembershipsMemberships are from: schools, clubs, churches, libraries, are from: schools, clubs, churches, libraries, community groups and home schoolscommunity groups and home schools

Teams of 5-7Teams of 5-7

P-DI-DII-DIII-DIVP-DI-DII-DIII-DIV

Primary (K-2)Primary (K-2)Div I (all under age 12 by May 1Div I (all under age 12 by May 1stst, 2003), 2003) (or every team member in 5 (or every team member in 5 thth grade or less) grade or less)Div II (under age 15 by May 1Div II (under age 15 by May 1stst, 2003), 2003) (or every team member in 6 (or every team member in 6 thth-8-8thth grade) grade)Div III (under age 19 by May 1Div III (under age 19 by May 1stst, 2003), 2003)Div IV (full-time enrollment in College)Div IV (full-time enrollment in College)

(based upon age of (based upon age of oldestoldest team member) team member)

Long-TermLong-Term

The Three Components of The Three Components of OOTMOOTM

200 Points200 Points• Specific RulesSpecific Rules• Open-EndedOpen-Ended• Solution Presented Solution Presented in Skit Form (8-min) in Skit Form (8-min)

100 Points100 Points• On the Spot• Anything Goes• 3 Types

- Verbal- Hands on- Hybrid

50 Points50 Points• Elaboration of LTElaboration of LT

• Pizzaz, Sparkle, PolishPizzaz, Sparkle, Polish• Team Chosen ElementsTeam Chosen Elements

Long-Term + Style + Spontaneous = Total ScoreLong-Term + Style + Spontaneous = Total Score

StyleStyle

SpontaneousSpontaneous

Total 350 Points

There are six new problems released each year (Aug -Sept)There are six new problems released each year (Aug -Sept)

Vehicle Vehicle –– Problem 1 “A Scene From Above”Problem 1 “A Scene From Above”

TechnicalTechnical – – Problem 2 “The Know-It-All” *Problem 2 “The Know-It-All” *

Classics Classics – – Problem 3 “Put a Spin On It”Problem 3 “Put a Spin On It”

Structure Structure – – Problem 4 “Odd Pod Structure”Problem 4 “Odd Pod Structure”

TheatricalTheatrical – – Problem 5 “Fooled Ya!”Problem 5 “Fooled Ya!”

PrimaryPrimary –– Demonstration Only “Music Lessons”Demonstration Only “Music Lessons”

NotNot all problems are offered in all age Divisions* all problems are offered in all age Divisions*

The Long-Term ProblemsThe Long-Term Problems

There is a cost limit to each problem ($100-135)There is a cost limit to each problem ($100-135)- therefore solutions cannot be “bought”- therefore solutions cannot be “bought”- only the materials used in competition - only the materials used in competition

included in the costincluded in the cost- duct tape & cardboard, lawn-sale value, - duct tape & cardboard, lawn-sale value,

scavengingscavenging- some items are exempt from cost, these are - some items are exempt from cost, these are

listed in the listed in the Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind™™ Program GuideProgram Guide

Solutions to the problems are ENTIRELY that of the team.Solutions to the problems are ENTIRELY that of the team.No OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE is allowedNo OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE is allowed

OUTSIDEOUTSIDEASSISTANCEASSISTANCE

Questions – YES Answers - NO

What do OMER’s Need?

Coaches

All Volunteers

Regional Training

Support: Books, Videos, Web pages, Telephone.

www.odysseyofthemind.org

www.ncom.org

http://ncom-e.wayfarer.org

wp_adams@bellsouth.net

• Training

• Tournament

• Temperament

• 2 – 4 hours

• No training

• Pre-tournament or at tournament

Expenses• Membership in Odyssey of the Mind International $135 per school or org.

• NCOM Regional/State Registration $100 per Team $65 per team Early Bird before Dec 13, 2002

• Coaches Training $12 per Coach

Team Support:

• Snacks

• Supplies

• R & D

• Travel to Tournaments

• Judge

• Volunteer

TimelineLate August – Mid December Purchase international membership

November 2, 2002 Eastern Region Coaches Training

December 13, 2002 Early Bird Registration Deadline

February 8, 2003Eastern Region Judges Training

(Snow date Feb 15, 2003)

March 8, 2003 Eastern Region Tournament

April 5, 2003 NCOM State Tournament

May 28 – 31, 2003Odyssey of the Mind

International Tournament

North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind Dick Raley, State Director rraley@bellsouth.netDick Raley, State Director rraley@bellsouth.netRegional Directors:Regional Directors:Central Jeff Newell jwnewell@duke-energy.comCentral Jeff Newell jwnewell@duke-energy.comCoastal Betsy Adams adamsbets@hotmail.comCoastal Betsy Adams adamsbets@hotmail.comEastern Patti Adams wp_adams@bellsouth.netEastern Patti Adams wp_adams@bellsouth.netNorthern David Asher dasher@triad.rr.comNorthern David Asher dasher@triad.rr.comWestern Barbara Parris Bparris@wcu.eduWestern Barbara Parris Bparris@wcu.edu

International Headquarters:International Headquarters:Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind

c/o Creative Competitions, Inc.c/o Creative Competitions, Inc.1325 Route 130 South, Suite F1325 Route 130 South, Suite F

Gloucester City, NJ 08030Gloucester City, NJ 08030(856) 456-7776(856) 456-7776

(856) 456-7008 (fax)(856) 456-7008 (fax)email to: email to: info@odysseyofthemind.com

Contact InformationContact Information

Check out our Website for up to date informationCheck out our Website for up to date informationhttp://www.ncom.orghttp://www.ncom.org

http://www.odysseyofthemind.comhttp://www.odysseyofthemind.com