Odyssey of the Mind 2016-2017 · PDF fileOdyssey of the Mind 2016-2017 Information Meeting...

Odyssey of the Mind

2016-2017

Information MeetingNewton-Lee ES

September 14th, 2016

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OVERVIEW Definition

Benefits

Participants

Competition

Kinds of Problems

Sequence of Events

Requirements

Team Formation

Important Dates

Conclusion2

WHAT IS OOTM?

An international educational program/competition which

provides creative problem solving opportunities for students,

K-college

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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

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PARTICIPANTS

ANY student in grades

Kindergarten through College

Primary Division: K- 2

Division I: 3rd-5th grade

Division II: 6th - 8th grade

Division III: 9th - 12th grade

Division IV: College students

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

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COMPETITION

Preparation begins in September

for the regional competition in March

Consists of two parts:

Long term problem (one of five types or Primary)

Spontaneous problem

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KINDS OF LONG TERM PROBLEMS Primary (Primary): Teams present performances that revolve around a

specific theme and incorporate required elements

Mechanical/Vehicle (Problem 1): Teams design, build and operate vehicles of various sizes and with various power sources

Technical (Problem 2): Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements into their solutions

Classics (Problem 3): Teams write and perform skit based upon the classicas -- from literature to architecture to art

Structure (Problem 4): Teams design and build structures using only balsa wood and glue which are weight tested

Performance (Problem 5): Teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and incorporate required elements

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SPONTANEOUS PROBLEMS

3 Types of Spontaneous Problems

Verbal

Verbal Hands-On

Hands-On

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SEQUENCE OF EVENTSParents/students attend orientation

(September)

Students enrollment

Students choose problem/coaches volunteer

Teams form/formed

Meetings held (October through March)

Team register for competition (January)

Teams practice/dry run (Feb-March)

Teams compete at Regional level (March)9

REQUIREMENTS

School membership fee ($135/first membership, $100/additional memberships)

Coaches (Long term and Spontaneous)

Judges and Volunteers (one from each team)

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REQUIREMENTS (cont.) Students Registration Fee ($35)

Funds for long term problem ($125-$145/team) < $50/student to participate

Competition registration fee ($62/team)

One judge and one volunteer from each team (CEUs for teachers & staff who volunteer, 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

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TEAM FORMATION

Based on students Problem selection (1st or 2nd )

NOTE:

We can not guarantee placement of any student on a team unless that student’s parent or guardian is a coach.

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IMPORTANT DATES Problems Released: During first full week in September

Coaches’ Training: Nov 5, 2016 (Tuscarora HS, Leesburg) Mandatory for new coaches; alternate dates in neighboring regions

T-shirt Design Submissions: Nov 4, 2016

Master Spontaneous Workshop: Dec 3, 2016 (Freedom HS, South Riding)

Regional Tournament Registration: Early Dec-Early Jan, with

payment via MAIL only

T-shirt Orders Due: TBD

Judges’ Training: Jan 28, 2017 (Tuscarora HS) Mandatory training for ALL judges on current season problems. May

attend training in neighboring OOTM region

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IMPORTANT DATES (cont.) Regional Competitions:

Dulles Region 16: Saturday, March 4, 2017 (Park View HS, Sterling)

Snow Date for either region: Saturday Mar 11, 2017 (Park View HS)

State Competition: Saturday, Apr 1st , 2017 (John Champe HS, Aldie)

World Competition: May 24-27, 2017, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

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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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Question Any questions, please contact program coordinators

via email: Farzaneh Riar (fmriar@gmail.com)

Meenakshi Sharma (meenakshi03@gmail.com)

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