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 31st year). Non-profit in an OotM World Finals (we’re currently in our 31st 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 up Teams of up to 7 membersto 7 members
P-DI-DII-DIII-DIVP-DI-DII-DIII-DIV
Primary: K-2Primary: K-2Div I: Div I: Grades K-5 Div II: Grades 6 – 8Div II: Grades 6 – 8Div III Grades 9 - 12Div III Grades 9 - 12Div IV: Enrollment in CollegeDiv IV: Enrollment in College
(based upon highest grade team member)(based upon highest grade team member)
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
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- Combo/Hybrid
50 Points50 Points• Elaboration of LTElaboration of LT
• Pizzazz, Sparkle, PolishPizzazz, Sparkle, Polish• Team Chosen ElementsTeam Chosen Elements
Long-Term + Style + Spontaneous = Total ScoreLong-Term + Style + Spontaneous = Total Score
StyleStyle
SpontaneousSpontaneous
Total 350 Points
The Long-Term ProblemsThe Long-Term ProblemsThere are six new problems each year There are six new problems each year
(Aug -Sept)(Aug -Sept)
200 Points200 PointsP1 Vehicle – “P1 Vehicle – “Pet ProjectPet Project” ”
P2 Technical – “P2 Technical – “The Email Must Go ThroughThe Email Must Go Through””
P3 Classics – “P3 Classics – “ARTchitecture: The MusicalARTchitecture: The Musical””
P4 Structure – “P4 Structure – “Tumble-wood”Tumble-wood”
P5 TheatricalP5 Theatrical – “– “It’s How You Look At ItIt’s How You Look At It ” ”
PrimaryPrimary –– Demonstration Only “Demonstration Only “Top Sea-cret DiscoveriesTop Sea-cret Discoveries””**
*Not all problems are offered in all age Divisions*Not all problems are offered in all age Divisions
There is a There is a Cost LimitCost Limit to each problem ($125-145) to each problem ($125-145) - Only the materials used in competition are - Only the materials used in competition are 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, - Some items are exempt from cost, these are listed in the these are listed in the Odyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind™™ Program Guide Program Guide
Performance Time Limit:
8 minutes
What do OMER’s Need?
Participation requires a commitment byParticipation requires a commitment by Team members and CoachesTeam members and Coaches
Teams generally work on their LT Problems from Oct-Feb.Teams generally work on their LT Problems from Oct-Feb.
Meeting times vary by age and team. In general, teams meet Meeting times vary by age and team. In general, teams meet twice a week.twice a week.
This is a very large commitment and not all teams make it to This is a very large commitment and not all teams make it to their regional tournament therefore:their regional tournament therefore:
EVERY TEAM PRESENTING A SOLUTION IS A WINNER !EVERY TEAM PRESENTING A SOLUTION IS A WINNER !
One team is awarded 1One team is awarded 1stst Place for each LT Problem and Place for each LT Problem and DivisionDivision
In NC 1In NC 1stst and 2 and 2ndnd Place Teams are invited to attend the StatePlace Teams are invited to attend the StateTournament.Tournament.
CommitmentCommitment
Coaches
All Volunteers
Regional Training
Support: Books, Videos, Web pages, Telephone.
www.odysseyofthemind.org
www.ncom.org
www.ncome.org
• 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 $105 per team. $80 per team Early Bird before (date TBA)
• Coaches’ Training per Coach $20 ($15 if pre-registered)
Team Support• Snacks & Supplies
• R & D
• Judge
• Volunteer
• Travel to Tournaments
TimelineLate August – Mid December Purchase international membership
October 6, 2012 Coaches Training - Salem MS, Apex
December 21, 2012 Early Bird Registration Deadline
February 9, 2013 Judges Training – Morris Grove Elem., Chapel Hill
March 2, 2013 Eastern Region TournamentSeawell Elem, Smith MS, Chapel Hill HS
November 3, 2012 Technology Fair – Tech Shop, Raleigh
Spontaneous Fair – Mills Park Elem., ApexJanuary 12, 2013
NCOM State TournamentApril 6, 2013
Coastal Region
Eastern Carolina University, Greenville, NC
World Finals - 2013World Finals - 2013May 22- 25 May 22- 25
Michigan State University - East Lansing, MichiganMichigan State University - East Lansing, Michigan An International Extravaganza The Odyssey of the Mind is truly a worldwide competition. Participants
include teams from Australia, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Siberia, Singapore, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, West Africa, and practically every state in the U.S. The annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an event to behold. It embodies the international spirit of creativity!
www.odysseyofthemind.com
www.ncom.org
www.ncome.org
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