Odyssey of the Mind

2015-16Information Meeting

October 7th, 2015

Newton-Lee ESCoordinators: Farzaneh Riar & Devika Sripathy

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OVERVIEW Definition

Benefits

Participants

Competition/Kinds of Problems

Sequence

Requirements

Team Formation

2015-2016 Problems

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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BENEFITSParticipants 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

Division 1: K-5th grade

K- 2 does Primary Problem

Newton-Lee qualifies for Division 1

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COMPETITIONPreparation begins in

September/October for

February 27th is regional competition

Consists of two parts:

Long term problem Select one from five types; Primary Problem

Spontaneous problem

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LONG TERM PROBLEMS (5 kinds)

Mechanical/Vehicle:Teams design, build and operate vehicles of

various sizes and with various power sources

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LONG TERM PROBLEMS

Technical:Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements into their

solutions.

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LONG TERM PROBLEMS

Classics:Teams write and perform skit based upon

the classical -- from literature to architecture to art.

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LONG TERM PROBLEMS

Structure:Teams design and build structures using

only balsa wood and glue which are weight tested.

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LONG TERM PROBLEMS

Performance:Teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and incorporate

required elements.

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LONG TERM PROBLEM GUIDANCE Places multiple constraints on the team which they

must consider as they develop their solution.

Examples for performance:

Must be done 8 minutes or less

Must be done in a presentation area not larger than 7 feet by 10 feet

Is judged in many areas

Could garner penalty points for a variety of infractions

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SPONTANEOUS PROBLEMS

Verbal

Verbal Hands-On

Hands-On

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SEQUENCEParents/students attend Informational meeting

Students choose problem/coaches volunteer

Teams form/formed

Meetings held (October through February)

School registers for competition (January)

Teams practice/dry run (January-February)

Teams compete at Regional level (February 27th

our region competition)14

REQUIREMENTS School membership fee ($135/first team, $100/addl teams)

Five(5) primary teams per membership

Coaches

Places to meet

Funds for long term problem ($125-$145/team)

Competition registration fee ($60/team)

One Judge and One volunteer from each team

COMMITMENT Students TIME

Hard work Open mind Positive attitude Encouragement

Creativity Punctuality Sense of humor Teamwork Respect

Parents: Funds Time Punctuality Planning

< $50/student

to participate

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TEAM FORMATION

Teams consist of 5 to 7 members

NOTE: School coordinators do not guarantee placement of any student on a team unless that student’s parent or guardian is a coach.

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2015-2016 PROBLEMS

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MECHANICAL/VEHICLE

Problem 1: No-Cycle Recycle (Divisions I, II, & III)

Teams will build, ride on, and drive a no-cycle, recycling vehicle.

Vehicle will pick up discarded items, adapt them in some way, and then deliver them to places to be re-used.

Vehicle must travel without pedaling for propulsion.

Driver will have an assistant worker riding on the vehicle that will help process the trash items being repurposed.

Driver and helper will make an unplanned stop along the way to perform a random act of kindness.

Cost limit: $145

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TECHNICAL

Problem 2: Something Fishy (Divisions I, II, III, & IV)

Teams will design and operate a technical solution that simulates multiple styles of fishing.

A Fisher Character will work from a designated area to "catch" three different objects that are outside of that area.

The catch will be on the move and will include something expected, something unexpected, and a new discovery.

The performance will also include a change of weather and a humorous character that portrays a potential catch and avoids being caught by the Fisher.

Cost limit: $145

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CLASSICS

Problem 3: Classics... Aesop Gone Viral (Divisions I, II, III & IV)

Teams will create and present an original performance about a fable gone "viral.”

The problem will include a list of fables attributed to Aesop.

Teams will select one and portray it, and its moral, as going viral.

The performance will be set in a past era and include a narrator character, an artistic representation of the fable's moral, and a character that makes a wrong conclusion about the moral and is corrected.

Cost limit: $125 20

STRUCTURE

Problem 4: Stack Attack! (Divisions I, II, III & IV)

Teams will design, build, and test a structure, made only of balsa wood and glue that will balance and support as much weight as possible--twice.

During weight-placement, teams can "Attack the Stack" where they will remove all of the weights except for the bottom one and the crusher board. Teams receive score for removing weights!

After Attacking the Stack, the weight placement process can be repeated to add to the total weight held.

Teams will incorporate weight-placement, repetition, and Attacking a Stack into the theme of the performance.

Cost limit: $14521

PERFORMANCE

Problem 5: Furs, Fins, Feathers & Friends (Divisions I, II, III & IV)

Team will create and present a humorous performance depicting problem solving from the perspective of three different animals.

The animals will help a stranger, help each other, and solve a problem that threatens the survival of all animals.

During the performance, the animals will sing and dance. They will also show curiosity, sympathy, frustration, and joy.

Cost limit: $125

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Primary

Primary: Stir the Pot (Grades K-2)

Teams will create and present a humorous performance about an object that comes to life when touched by an item that turns out to be magical.

While it is alive, the animated object will encounter three other objects that will result in a dramatic change of behavior.

There will be a narrator character that explains what is happening and a character that becomes friends with the object.

The performance will also include a team-created poem, song, or dance.

Cost $12523

IMPORTANT DATES Problems Released: October

Coaches’ Training: Nov 21, 2015 (Freedom HS, South Riding)

Mandatory for new coaches; Else, train with neighboring regions

T-shirt Design Submissions: TBD

Spontaneous Coaches’ Workshop: Dec 12, 2015 (Park View HS, Sterling)

Regional Tournament Registration: Early Dec-Early Jan, with payment via MAIL only

T-shirt Orders Due: TBD, with payment via MAIL only

Judges’ Training: Feb 6, 2016 (Park View HS)

Mandatory for new judges; Else, train with neighboring regions

Regional Competitions:

Dulles Region 16: Saturday, February 27, 2016 (Park View HS)

Snow Date for region: Saturday Mar 19, 2016 (Park View HS)

State Competition: Saturday, Apr 16, 2016 (Menchville HS, Newport News)

World Competition: 25-28 May 2016, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

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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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Questions?

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For registration or questions, please email school coordinators:

Farzaneh Riar (email: fmriar@gmail.com)

Devika Sripathy (email: Devikasripathy@gmail.com)