MICHIGAN ODYSSEY OF THE MIND COACHES ’ TRAINING - Spontaneous -

1. MICHIGANODYSSEY OF THE MIND COACHES’TRAINING - Spontaneous - Based on The “Unofficial” On-Line Coaches’ Training - by T.Perkins (VT), J. Otte (NY), & S. Riggs (TX) & Wisconsin Odyssey of the Mind Coaches Training - wi.odysseyofthemind.org/Documents/CoachesTraining.ppt

2. Spontaneous Problem Solving

3. Before We Begin Two main references in today’s presentation PG 5 CM 1

4. What is Spontaneous? • A problem that is presented to the team members only on the day of competition • Problems are secret until the team actually competes • Problems must remain secret after the team competes • All Regional and State competitions use the same problem set • Problem set defined by National OotM organization • All teams in the same Long Term Problem/Division do same Spontaneous Problem

5. What is Spontaneous? Continued… • Only team members compete • No coaches, parents, siblings • Only team members are permitted in the Spontaneous Area • Exception – Holding Room • One coach or team parent permitted into Holding Room • A maximum of 5 team members may solve the problem • The others must sit quietly and may participate • No talking, no cheering, no groaning, no faces, etc. • If they cannot sit quietly, they may be asked to leave the room and sit outside the door

6. How important is Spontaneous? Spontaneous 100 Points 29 % Style 50 Points 14 % = Total Score 350 Points Long-Term 200 Points 57 %

7. Spontaneous Problem Spontaneous problems come in three types: Verbal - problems require verbal responses. They may incorporate improvisation or dramatization. Teams are scored for common and creative responses. Hands-on - problems require teams to physically create a tangible solution. Each problem has its own specific scoring categories. Verbal/Hands-on (Hybrid) – problems require team to create a tangible solution and include some type of verbal component. Teams are scored on both tangible solution and verbal presentation. PG 26 CM 39

8. Spontaneous Problem Continued…. Verbal Spontaneous Problems Think “outside the box”, go for unusual and creative Use alternate definitions Example: Name something green Common answers; trees, grass, leaves Uncommon; solar power, GreenPeace, greenhorns Use word play Example: “I used to be Snow White but I drifted” If you are stuck give a common or repeated answer Limited number of responses gives time for thought Stockpile answers

9. Spontaneous Problem Continued…. Hands-On Spontaneous Problems Look carefully at the problem and ask questions Do you need multiples of the SAME thing Some materials are there to distract If you have tools can they be part of the solution Can you reach over, under, around, through Does the weight always have to go on the top Can the materials be altered, reinforced, repurposed Have your team practice finding ways to reinforce, attach, lengthen, strengthen assorted materials. Think paper, straws, paper clips, mailing labels, yarn…

10. Spontaneous Problem Continued…. Verbal / Hands-On Spontaneous Problems Will have aspects of both a Verbal and a Hands-On Spontaneous problem Team may have to manipulate given materials and describe possible uses Could be a 2 part problem: Build/construct something out of given materials Tell a story or describe what they have just built

11. Spontaneous Problem Continued…. PRACTICE … PRACTICE … PRACTICE Practice all three types, you don’t know what type of problem you’ll get at competition Do several spontaneous problems at each meeting. Work together rather than apart Critique the performance (Coaches: Hints are fine here!) Have each team member specialize in something. Analyze scoring Problem Reader Timekeeper Organizer/Delegator

12. Spontaneous Strategies Think Brainstorm possible solutions Remember that all ideas are team property Listen to your teammates and build on their ideas Plan How are we going to execute our solution What materials do we use and how Who will do what and when Test Is it going to work, do we need to adjust Act Present for score

13. Practice spontaneous as much as your Long-Term and Style Spontaneous is almost 30% of your total score Practice reacting to mistakes Accidents often happen! Help the team develop confidence in risk taking Spontaneous scores often impact a team’s placement at tournaments Tips and Advice CM 9

14. Tips and AdviceContinued… • Look at the answer or solution. Have team members ask: • Is it of high quality? • How original is it? • Is it the first thing you think of? • Is it the first thing others will think of? • If so, is it creative? • Remember that it is the team’s attention to details that will differentiate good solutions from great solutions.

15. Practice for Competition Day When the team enters the spontaneous room, they will be told which type of problem; Verbal, Hands-On, or Verbal/Hands-On Team will have to IMMEDIATELY tell the judges which 5 team members will be participating. Make sure your team discusses and decides who will participate in each of the three types of spontaneous problems. Team members that are not participating will need to sit quietly and may not participate in the problem solution

16. How does spontaneous work? Check-in Arrive 15 minutes before scheduled Spontaneous time Check in at the check-in table The coach should collect all cell-phones, back packsand extra clothing Team and 1 coach will go to the Holding room Holding Room Last minute instructions, encouragement, focusing… When team is called, confirm team identity with the “runner” using Spontaneous Ticket Coach says good-bye and proceeds to the pick-up area Team goes off with the runner to spontaneous room

17. How does spontaneous work?Continued…. Spontaneous Room Team enters and introduces themselves Judges announce problem type 5 competitors selected immediately Non-competing team members sit down Only competitors in the room can talk about problem Read problem Judge reads problem and time limits Team has copies to follow along Problem starts

18. How does spontaneous work?Continued…. Team attempts to solve problem Problem stops Team finishes or Time keeper calls “Time” If team member is in middle of verbal response, they may complete it Thank you’sall around Team will NOT be told score or how well they did Scores will be posted on-line after the competition Runner escorts team to Pickup Area Team members should not discuss their Spontaneous problem until after World Finals!

19. Team Behavior BE Polite and attentive Positive, supportive, encouraging DO NOT Criticize or argue with each other or judges Disrupt or behave inappropriately DO Have fun Your best

20. Interacting with Judges Be polite and attentive Listen carefully and follow instructions promptly Look at the judges when talking to them Speak loudly and clearly Do NOT mumble or rush your words Introduce your team Be sensible, time is limited Include membership name, membership number, long term problem and division Be sure to thank them when you’re done

21. Understanding the Problem Reading the problem Statement of what needs to be done Description of task and time limits Description of scoring “I repeat…” stresses the most important parts Scoring How are points awarded May include how well team works together Try to identify the portion of the scoring that will produce the highest score - exploit it!

22. Understanding the Problem Continued…. Time limits Clearly defined in statement of problem Typical timing X minutes for Part 1, often called “Thinking Time” Y minutes for Part 2, often called “Response Time’ OR Z minutes for entire solution period – this can trip up novice teams

23. Understanding the Problem Continued…. Can we talk to the judges? Teams can always ask the judges questions Usually only once time has started Will usually count against your time Can we talk to each other? Usually Yeswhen brainstorming Usually Yes in Hands-On or Verbal/Hands-On Usually No in Verbal If talking is permitted, encourage it!

24. Understanding the Problem Continued….. Team Roles Scoring analyst Understand the score Time minder You can always ask “how much time is left?” Moderator NOT the boss, helps lead the brainstorming Materials analyst For Hands-On, how to use materials effectively Brainstorming – everybody

25. What the Coach can do Train the team on problem solving processes Problem types Team roles Team behavior Interacting with the judges How best to solve the problem types This is NOT Outside Assistance You can tell them everything in these slides

26. What the Coach can do Continued….. Practice with them Practice Spontaneous a every team meeting Practice multiple types of problems Simulate actual competition conditions Team entry into Spontaneous Room Behavior Team selecting competitors Team thanks and exit Practice at the start of meetings Enlist parents to help judge

27. What the Coach can do Continued….. When the team has finished their practice problem, deconstruct the solution Take 5 minutes after they solve the problem What do they think they did well? What do they think they did poorly? What could be done better? Repeat the same problems to learn from mistakes and refine/reinforce good parts

28. Verbal Strategies Think time & brainstorming If talking is permitted, brainstorm ideas If talking is not permitted, brainstorm silently Think of as many responses as possible Response time & getting un-stuck Relax, try to remember brainstormed ideas Build-on previous response, add detail Follow-on previous response, give a similar response

29. Verbal Strategies Continued….. Scoring Number of responses per team member Point difference between Common and Creative If responses are limited and high point difference take time to make responses creative If responses are unlimited and low point difference give as many responses as possible regardless of creativity BE SURE TO USE ALL RESPONSES!

30. Verbal Strategies Continued…. Possible questions to ask Can we talk during think time? Who goes first? Which direction do we go? Can we go out of turn if someone gets stuck? How much time is left? Remember, time will not stop while you are asking questions

31. Verbal Strategies Continued…. Practice As many types of verbal problems as possible Stress the creativity of responses Humorous Rhyming, word play and tone or inflection Juxtaposition of ideas Use of words in novel or unexpected ways Intentional misuse of a word or phrase for effect Identify strong versus weak team members Who has limited verbal skills Who gets tongue-tied Who is quick-witted, funny, original

32. Hands-On Strategies Continued…. Hands-on types Build something to meet a specific criteria A tower that will hold items A bridge that will span a distance Use materials to manipulate objects Place objects in bounded scoring locations Move objects for as long/as far as possible Time Think time ( plan / assemble / TEST! ) Response time (present solution for score) Talking is almost always permitted

33. Hands-On Strategies Continued….. Scoring Understand scoring requirements Identify what has to be done to maximize score “How well team works together” is a common scoring element, be on good behavior Usually worth 1 to 10 points If “creativity of solution” is a scoring element, stress use of materials in unusual ways or combinations Usually worth 1 to 15 points Don’t get so focused on details that you forget to present your solution within the time limit

34. Hands-On Strategies Continued….. Think time (plan / assemble / TEST) Inventory materials to manipulate (can be broken, cut, torn, bent , etc.) Toothpicks, clay, tape, labels, straws, rubber bands, paperclips, string, pipe cleaners, paper/plastic cups, spaghetti, unsharpened pencils, tin foil, cotton balls Materials to use as tools (cannot manipulate) Usually marked with Yellow tape Scissors, rulers, containers, markers Ask: Can tools be used as part of the solution? Look for materials to use in creative ways

35. Hands-On Strategies Continued….. Think time (plan / assemble / TEST) continued… Assemble If multiple items required, analyze components SHARE COMMON MATERIALS!!! Avoid “futzing” Once crumpled, tin foil doesn’t flatten easily Once pulled up, tape doesn’t re-stick well Allow sufficient time during build to merge all components into final product Allow sufficient time to safely transport creation to presentation area, if required

36. Hands-On Strategies Continued….. Think time (plan / assemble / TEST) continued… Beware “throw-away” materials Some items will be included that look useful, but may be there to distract Balance functionality with creativity Avoid creating a beautiful/elegant solution that doesn’t work TEST THE SOLUTION!!! ALWAYS test the solution before it has to be used for score!!!

37. Hands-On Strategies Continued….. Response time (present solution for score) Demonstrate the solution Work as a team Possible questions to ask May we use the tools as part of the solution? May we lean over the boundary lines? May we break / cut / modify materials? If building a weight bearing structure, does the weight have to be at the top of the structure? How much time is left?

38. Hands-On Strategies Continued….. Identify strong versus weak team members Who has good hand/eye coordination Who has good materials manipulation skills Folding Cutting Taping Constructing Who can work quickly Who doesn’t “futz”

39. General Strategies Help team identify strengths and weaknesses Who has limited verbal skills Who gets tongue-tied Who is quick witted, funny, original Who has good hand/eye coordination Who has good materials manipulation skills Folding / Cutting / Taping Building / Construction Who can work quickly Who doesn’t “futz” Help team identify participant list or method

40. General Strategies Continued…. Score, score, score Understand scoring requirements and exploit them Pay attention to “works well together” and “creativity” Be relaxed, have fun with the unexpected Spontaneous practice can be a team building opportunity Learn your team’s dynamics Help the team to learn to work together better If they don’t say you can’t do it, ask, or try!

41. Still not sure how to Coach Spontaneous???

42. Resources Spontaneous Kits Thinking Cap - http://www.thinkingcapllc.com/ CCI - http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/ Spontaneous Kits Spontaneous Problem Books Internet Many Spontaneous and Spontaneous-type problems Just search “Spontaneous problems” Spontaneous Nights Participate if the opportunity comes up Organize one yourself if the opportunity does not come up

43. Clarifications Review Clarify - “to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or intelligible; to free from ambiguity.” Dictionary.com • If a team questions the interpretation of a limitation, or is not sure if an aspect of its solution is allowed or meets the problem’s requirements, it may request a clarification. • Anyone requesting a clarification must cite the rule in question.

44. Clarifications ReviewContinued…. There are two types of clarifications General Clarifications amend or further explain a problem’s limitations without revealing information about a team’s solution. All general clarifications are posted on www.odysseyofthemind.com/clarifications Team-Specific Clarifications pertain to a particular team’s solution. These are confidential and are not published

45. Clarifications Process • General clarifications are posted on CCI website and take precedence over limitations listed in the problem • It is important that teams keep current on all general clarifications issued throughout the year • A list of clarifications by problem can be found on the CCI website www.odysseyof themind.com/clarifications

46. Clarifications Processcontinued…. Make sure to check for clarifications regularly as they will be posted throughout the tournament season.

47. Clarifications Processcontinued…. Should your team wish to submit a clarification: • Login in to the member area • Click on the “Clarifications” link

48. Clarifications Processcontinued…. You will guided through a series of questions. Remember: • You will need to be specific • You will need to specify the rule or rules that you are questioning.

49. Clarifications Processcontinued…. • All clarifications are answered by CCI within seven days of receipt • Copies of all clarifications are sent to the International Problem Captain for the long-term problem in question and the Association Director for the association from which the question came • If your team submits a clarification you will need to bring copies of the email response and submit it with your competition paperwork

50. Questions, Questions, Questions What do you want to know? How can we help you?