ODYSSEY OF THE MIND 101 - NWVoices

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND 101COACHES’ TRAINING

REGION 14 – CATOCTIN & REGION 16 - DULLES

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

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KEY DATES TO KNOWØ Judges’ Training

¡ Saturday, February 15th Trailside MS, Ashburn

Ø Catoctin VOICES Region 14 Tournament

¡ Saturday, February 29th Independence HS, Aldie

Ø Dulles VOICES Region 16 Tournament

¡ Saturday, March 14th Riverside HS, Leesburg

Ø Virginia State Tournament

¡ Saturday, April 18th Menchville HS, Newport News

Ø Additional Training Available for Coaches

¡ Masters’ Spontaneous December 14th Seneca Ridge MS, Sterling

¡Tournament Prep February 1st location tbd

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND ONLINE RESOURCES

¡ nwvoices.org

¡ vaodysseyofthemind.com

¡ odysseyofthemind.com

¡ Member Area: requires Membership Number and ZIP Code

¡ Long-Term Problem

¡ Program Guide

¡ Clarifications

¡ Up-to-date information on:¡ Training

¡ Events

¡ Deadlines

¡ Tips and tricks for getting the best from the team

¡ Support from fellow coaches and coordinatorshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/OdysseyRegions14And16/

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ODYSSEY OF THE MIND 101¡ Understanding the Basics

¡ Building Your Team

¡ Managing Parents

¡ Keeping on Task

¡ Following the Rules

¡ Preparing for the Tournament


UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS

¡ An individual Odyssey of the Mind team consists of up to 7 members

¡ 7 minds solve the problem and present their solution

¡ Teams compete in age-based divisions

¡ Div I – Elementary, Div II – Middle School, Div III – High School, Div IV - Adult

¡ Teams choose one of six problems

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PROBLEM TYPE TITLE1 VEHICLE Longshot Solution2 TECHNICAL/PERFORMANCE Net Working3 CLASSICS The Effective Detective4 STRUCTURE Balsa Limbo5 PERFORMANCE Gibberish or NotPRIMARY NONCOMPETITIVE The Fashion Bug

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UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS

Long-Term +Style+Spontaneous=TotalScore

TheThreeComponentsofOOTM

LongTerm“Solution”:200Points

Style:50Points

Spontaneous:100Points

GETTING STARTED

¡ The Coach’s Toolkit

¡ Odyssey of the Mind® 2019-2020 Program Guide

¡ https://www.odysseyofthemind.com/p/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2020-program-guide.pdf

¡ Long-Term Problem Description

¡ Available after your school/organization has purchased their Odyssey of the Mind membership


THE ROLE OF A COACHa. Fostercreativityb. Guidetheteamwithtimemanagementc. Provideasafeenvironmenttoworkandmeetd. Encourageandengagetheteame. Teachthemtoencourageeachotherf. Keepconsistenttimesthattheteamcanmeetg. Knowthelongtermproblemh. PracticeSpontaneousProblems

(Verbal,HandsOnandHandsOnVerbal)

THE ROLE OF A COACH IS NOT…

a. Solvingtheproblemb. Assigningspeakingpartsc. Buildingavehicleorstructured. Paintingsetse. Sewingcostumesf. Writingascriptg. Decidingwhichideasshouldbeusedh. Criticizingthesolution

TEAM BUILDING¡ This starts with you as a coach. You need to be positive and encouraging.

¡ Find each team member’s strengths and build them up.

¡ Ban negative speech (“I think that idea is stupid or dumb etc…”)

• Practice Spontaneous together

• Take field trips (plays, museums, science shows, etc.)

• Consider team names, t-shirts, mottos

• Have fun & share your enthusiasm!

TEAM BUILDING¡ CAUTION:

The long-term problems may only be solved by seven team members.

¡ At no time can you have any more than this number on your team.

¡ If a team member quits after the team has discussed their long-term problem, they cannot be replaced.

MEETING AND PLANNING

¡ Meet with team members and their parents

¡ Set clear expectations¡ Be on time for meetings

¡ Don’t miss meetings

¡ Arrange rides to and from meetings

¡ Help provide snacks

¡ Let them know expenses

¡ Find a time to meet that works for the coach and team members¡ Schedule regular meetings to start…

¡ …and expect to meet more often and for more time to finish!

MANAGING PARENTS¡ Sharethedatesforteammeetingsandtournaments:

RegionalTournament,StateTournament&WorldFinals.

¡ Letthemknowhowtheycanhelp

¡ PrepareSpontaneousproblemsandsuppliesforpractice.

¡ RecruitaJudgeoraVolunteer:everyteamneedstoprovidetournamentpersonnel.

¡ Manageteamcalendarforsnacks,drinksandrides.

¡ Agreeonthebestwaytocommunicatewiththem:text,email,phone?¡ (Hint:Parentissuesrequirethepersonaltouch!)

MANAGING PARENTS CONTINUED

¡ Budget: Problem materials $125.00 - $145.00

¡ Keep receipts for any team purchases

¡ Outside Assistance: Explain how important this is to the team.

¡ Tournament Spontaneous problems: Don’t ask, don’t discuss.

¡ Sportsmanlike Conduct: parents, coaches and students all represent their team.

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

¡ Theideas,solutionsandworkmustcomefromthe7teammembersonly.

¡ DIVI:Teammayneedascribe.

• Writeonlywhattheteamsays– nocopyediting.

• Completeforms(Style,Cost,etc.)asdictatedbytheteam.

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

¡ Askquestions:how,what,which,where,who,etc.butdonotprovideanswers.

¡ (Howcouldyouattachthetailtothedonkey?)

¡ Ifatoolistoodangerousforyourteamtouse,theteamshouldfindanalternative.

¡ (Icouldpokemyselfwithapin,soI’lluseagluestick.)

¡ RefertoCoaches’Guideforadditionalinformation

FIRST TEAM MEETING¡ Let the team know your expectations (Yes, again)

¡ Respect each other’s ideas

¡ Encourage each other

¡ Be kind and respectful

¡ Be on time and stay until end of meeting

¡ You may want to have them sign a team contract (Found on OM website)

¡ Need an Icebreaker? Play a game!

¡ Squint, Rapid Recall, Guesstures, Charades, Acting Games

¡ Start every meeting with Spontaneous problems

¡ Have team members take turns

KEEPING ON TRACK¡ Meetings

¡ Ask what they would like to accomplish at the meetings. Have one of the team members take notes on the timeline

¡ At the end of a meeting, review their progress and set a goal for the next meeting.

¡ Long Term Solution

¡ Have the team define the major work and help them identify the steps to complete it.

¡ Revisit the timeline and adjust as needed

KEEPING ORGANIZED¡ Coaches’ Binder Recommendations

¡ Contacts

¡ Teammate, Parents’ Name, Phone, Email, Birthday, Teacher

¡ Emergency Contact information

¡ Schedules

¡ Meetings, Teammate conflicts, Key dates, School calendar

¡ References

¡ Coaches’ Guide, Program Guide, Long-Term Problem Requirements

¡ Spontaneous Problems

¡ Tips, Tricks, practice problems, list of materials

¡ Tournament Paperwork Prep

¡ Copies of required forms, Receipts


SOLVING THE LONG-TERM PROBLEM¡ After your team selects the problem, read the long term problem as a

coach first.

¡ After you have read the problem, give each team member a copy of the long term problem and read this as a team. Make sure the team knows the requirements for the problem. Refer to this often.

¡ Have the team take notes on the long term problem requirements.

¡ Keep these notes at every meeting.

LONG-TERM PROBLEMCOACHES’ TRAINING


NOVEMBER 2, 2019

LONG-TERM PROBLEM


¡ What is it?

¡ Selecting your problem

¡ Understanding your problem

¡ Coaching a GREAT solution

¡ Countdown to the tournament

WHAT IS A LONG-TERM PROBLEM?


¡ An 8-minute performance,

¡ Prepared exclusively by one team,

¡ In response to a detailed problem description that defines:

¡ The problem,

¡ Constraints on the solution, and

¡ The way the solution will be evaluated.

UNDERSTANDING A LONG-TERM PROBLEM


¡ Use the Problem Description and Program Guide to understand the problem.

¡ These two documents are a must

¡ Suggestion: Don’t try to digest it all in one sitting.

PROBLEM REQUIREMENTS: A GUIDED TOUR


¡ The problem

¡ Spirit of the Problem: the big picture

¡ Limitations

¡ Specific rules that constrain the solution

¡ May vs Must

¡ Italicized Words: refer to problem glossary or Program Guide glossary

¡ Site, Setup, and Competition

¡ Time limit

¡ Time starts in Staging area

¡ Hard stop or overtime penalty



¡ Scoring

¡ Objective (“or”) items

¡ Subjective (“to”) items

¡ Items that can be scored after the performance



¡ Penalties

¡ Spirit of the Problem

¡ Unsportsmanlike conduct

¡ Membership sign

¡ Outside Assistance

¡ Cost limit

¡ Included and excluded items

¡ Over time (if applicable)

¡ Other – as specified



¡ Style

¡ Tournament Director will provide…

¡ The Team must provide…

¡ Required forms

¡ Please bring these in the required quantities

¡ Team List

¡ Without this, the judges can miss key elements of the team’s solution – that cost points

¡ Problem glossary

RULES, RULES, RULES


¡ General Rules – a few highlights

¡ No weapons or realistic replicas

¡ Safety, batteries and footwear

¡ Getting messy? Be prepared to clean up

¡ Damage issues – especially floor damage

MAKING IT PERFECTLY CLEAR


¡ Check online for Clarifications

¡ These can substantially change the problem!

¡ Check regularly

¡ Request a clarification

¡ Can be private or public

DISTINGUISHING GOOD FROM GREAT


¡ What distinguishes good from great?

¡ Creativity!

¡ The more off-beat, risky, non-obvious a solution the team can offer, the more it is in the spirit of Odyssey of the Mind.

¡ Break the Meme!

¡ Tip: Have the team ask parents or others how they have solved hard problems.

COACHING A GREAT SOLUTION


¡ Whether the team is developing the overall solution, or a specific part, asking simple questions inspires creativity

¡ Ask – Don’t tell!

GENERATING OPTIONS


¡ What could you do?

¡ Give me three more possibilities

¡ What’s the craziest thing you could do?

¡ Tell me more about that

¡ If you could do anything, what would you do?

¡ Tip: Make a Spontaneous problem out of it if the team is getting stuck!

NARROWING THE OPTIONS


¡ Which one do you want to do?

¡ What do you like about each possibility?

¡ How well does each answer the problem?

¡ Do any of them cause problems with the limitations?

¡ Which one do you want to do?

GETTING AGREEMENT


¡ How will you do it?

¡ Be specific.

¡ Who will do it?

¡ By when?

¡ Remember: You’re just asking questions, the team is providing all the answers and making the decisions!

MOVING FORWARD


¡ Keep re-reading the problem

¡ Also the rules in the Program Guide

¡ Design/Build/Test/Improve – Fail!

¡ Practicing the Solution – Build your own practice site

COUNTDOWN TO THE TOURNAMENT


¡ Register for the Tournament

¡ Fill out all the forms and bring to the tournament

¡ Check the number of required copies!

¡ Make a duplicate copy

¡ Be prepared to transport sets, props and costumes, possibly in bad weather

TOURNAMENT PREP¡ Don’t forget about the team sign.

¡ In some problems this is part of Style requirements, but this is a must for all teams.

¡ Don’t forget about the paperwork:

¡ Style

¡ Material Values

¡ Outside Assistance

¡ Required List (if applicable)

¡ Problem Clarifications (if applicable)

¡ Plan B.

STYLECOACHES’ TRAINING


NOVEMBER 2, 2019

¡ It’s Not Just a Fashion Statement…


It’sthefrostingonthecake!

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ODYSSEY OF THE MIND STYLE

That which adds to the solution of a long-term problem and relates to

the nature of the problem or solution, but is not required to solve

the problem.

STYLE


Makes problem solution unique

Demonstrates creativethinking

Theme - ties elements of solution together

Everyonehasit– Talk,Walk,Dress,Thinking,Presentation

WHY IS STYLE SCORED?


Costumes• Made by team • Elaborate• Gaudy - or classy• Unusual materials


WHERE’S THE STYLE?

Scenery & Props• Colorful• 3D• Exaggerated• Adds to Theme• Movement

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Membership Sign• 3D• Adds to Theme• Function• More than Team #



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Humor, Parody

Special Effects

Music Dance

Acting

Poetry


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Team Completes Style Form

4 copies to Staging Judge

Timekeeper Style Judges


Beforetournament

Attournament

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STYLE FORMS


Tells Judges What to Score -“Roadmap” of

the performance

Free Choice of TeamFree Choice of Team

Specified in ProblemSpecified in Problem

ShouldclearlydescribetheStyleelementsin1-4Tellsthe‘story’oftheperformance

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STYLE FORM

1 & 2 Defined in Problem

Read theproblem!

Be specific &

descriptive

e.g. artistic quality of costume –describe

costume to be judged

3 & 4 Decided by Team

Can’t be scored in

LT Problem

Easily identifiable by judges

Strong points of

presentation

Maximum impact

5. Overall Effect

Succinct description

Clearly describe

Style concepts

Emphasize free

choices

How 1-4 “tell the story”


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STYLE FORM

3 trained Style judges

Score independently of Problem judges & other Style

judges

Score only Style elements

Decision is subjective & final


LT=200Spontaneous=100Style=5011/02/2019 53

SCORING STYLE

STYLE

Talent is Valuable – Creativity is Best!COPYRIGHT©2019NWVOICESNWVOICESODYSSEYOFTHEMIND- NWVOICES.ORG

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SPONTANEOUSCOACHES’ TRAINING


NOVEMBER 2, 2019

The soul of teamwork, creativity, risk-taking, and divergent thinking.

q Verbal

q Hands-On

q Hands-On /Verbal

SPONTANEOUS


Only 5 team members compete.

Officials assigned to a Problem & Division.

Tournament problem is used across Regional Tournaments:

q Team members must not discuss after they leave the Spontaneous site – not with each other, not with coaches, not with parents.

q Fairfax & Loudoun counties are home to 5 Odyssey of the Mind regions: coaches, parents or team members could overhear and gain an advantage for their tournament.

SPONTANEOUS


SPONTANEOUS TIPS & TRICKS

¡ No Outside Assistance in Spontaneous

¡ Practice, Practice, Practice

¡ Strategies for each type of problem

¡ Brainstorming to exercise creative thinking


SPONTANEOUS TIPS & TRICKS

¡ SCAMPER

¡ Substitute one part of something for another

¡ Combine things to make something new

¡ Adapt something to another use

¡ Modify the size or shape (mentally)

¡ Put to other uses

¡ Eliminate part of the whole

¡ Reverse the idea or object.


SPONTANEOUS COMPETITION

• Team and one adult report to Spontaneous checkin

• Escort guides Team to Spontaneous site

Checkin

• Official identifies the type of problem

• Team selects 5 team members to compete

Choose • Team solves the problem in time allotted

• Escort returns team to adult in checkinarea

Compete


Documents

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND 101 - NWVoices