Mills Park Elementary

1. Odyssey of the Mind Information Night Cheri Lynch Danielle Mateo Mills Park Elementary

2. Odyssey of the Mind – Eastern Region Regional Director Tom Hansen regional-director@ncome.org

3. NCOM Eastern Region Mission To provide creative-problem solving opportunities for everyone and to foster original and divergent thinking.

4. What do we mean by divergent andconvergent thinking? Convergent thinking = for every question there is 1 solution (a + b = c) Divergent thinking = for every question there are many solutions Odyssey of the Mind encourages young people to be creative and explore many possible solutions.

5. History of Odyssey of the Mind • The program was started by a NJ college educator, Dr C. Samuel Micklus (Dr Sam) • In 1978-1979, the Odyssey of the Mind program began. It was originally called Olympics of the Mind. Creative Competitions, Inc. is the international organization formed to develop the problems and administer the program at the national and international level.

6. What is Odyssey of the Mind? Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem solving competition.

7. Odyssey of the Mind involves… DOING YOUR BEST Planning Fun HARD WORK Group Dynamics Trial and Error presentation skills creativity

8. Memberships and Team Structure Memberships include : • Schools • Home school groups • Churches • Clubs Divisions Division I – K-5 Division II – 6-8 Division III – 9-12 Division IV - college MPMS will have 5 Teams of 7 students

9. The 3 Components of OM CompetitionLong Term Problem + Style + Spontaneous Problem Long Term Problem 200 points Students will work on a specific problem from Sept-March Specific rules to follow Solution presented in 8-minute skit format • Spontaneous Problem • 100 points • Students presented a problem to solve on the spot at competition • Hands on, verbal, or verbal hands on problem Style 50 points Team selects elements (props, costumes, songs etc) to be scored

10. 2011-2012 Long Term Problems Vehicle – Ooh Motional Vehicle Technical – Weird Science (Sponsored by NASA) Classics – To Be or Not To Be Structure – You Make The Call Theatrical – Odyssey Angels

11. Problem time limit is 8 minutes • There is a cost limit of $125-$145 per problem • Cost limits even the playing field • All materials used in competition are included • Students are encouraged to used garage sale, trash, recycled materials, scavenging

12. What is the commitment? • Teams generally work on their long term problems October – February • Teams meet 1 x a week until Dec/Jan then meetings increase to 2 or 3 x a week • Teams will present their long term problem at the Regional Tournament in Chapel Hill. • 1st and 2nd place teams in the Regional Tournament will present their solutions at the State Tournament.

13. What is the cost to participate? • $40/student to cover expenses • Mills Park’s PTA is also generously supporting Odyssey of the Mind • What do we spend the money on? • Membership(s) fee (paid to OM) • Regional Tournament Fees • Coaches Training Fees • Regional Spontaneous Fair • Reimburse coaches for materials used in the problem solution • T-shirts • Misc expenses

14. Coaches Needed Our coaches are all volunteers! We need 2 coaches per team Commitment Meet with team (1-3 x week) Attend Regional Coaches Training Oct. 29 at Davis Drive Middle School Attend Regional Tournament March 3rd (all day) Attend monthly coaches meeting If you coach your child is guaranteed a team placement!

15. Volunteers Needed In order for teams to participate in the tournament we need… Tournament Volunteers 2-4 hour Commitment at Tournament 1 Volunteer Per Team Will not Interfere with Seeing Your Child’s Performance No Training Needed Tournament Judges 1 Judge Per Team All Day Commitment Training Required (Sat., Feb. 18)

16. No Outside Assistance Solutions to the problem are ENTIRELY that of the team. No outside assistance is allowed! • What does that mean to me? • Coaches • You do not need to have experience with building, engineering, drama because you will not be solving the problem! Your job is time management, guidance, support, chauffeur, referee  • As a coach you will not be giving suggestions, hints, ideas, or shaping the solution • Parents • Will not be giving suggestions, ideas, hints, or shaping the solution • Your student will not bring home the full problem details to prevent assistance

17. Eastern Region Tournament Saturday, March 3rd 2012 Chapel Hill Attendance is mandatory

18. If your team places 1st or 2nd in the Regional Tournament……… The State Tournament is in March 31, 2012 The World Finals will be held May 23-26, 2012 at Iowa State University

19. www.odysseyofthemind.com

20. Eastern Region Tournament March 5th www.ncom.org

21. Eastern Region Tournament March 5th Eastern Region Tournament March 5th Eastern Region Tournament March 5th Congratulations, Team! We are glad you will represent the Eastern Region at the North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament! We are very excited about your accomplishments this year! Please ask all team members, coaches and parents to look on this opportunity as an occasion to celebrate your success. At the next level, every team is very good. Good sportsmanship is very important. You may not advance any further, but we want you to do your best - and to know how proud we are to have you represent the Eastern Region and demonstrate your solution at the state tournament. Publicize your team’s demonstrated success in advancing to the State Tournament! Let your group or school, your PTSA and administration or governing body know! You have enhanced your group or school’s reputation. You have earned the respect of everyone who has seen your work. You are learning some great creative ways to solve problems. You are becoming a great team! Please read the enclosed information carefully. You must register for the state competition right away. Let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Joyce Bocksnick, Tournament Co-Director Tom Hansen, Regional Director, Tournament Co-Director Board of Directors NCOM Eastern Region

22. Timeline

23. Thank you for attending the OM Awareness session! Please take an application form. Remember all forms are due by this Friday, September 23. If you are interested in coaching, please take a coaching interest form. These forms are also due by September 23rd. Questions???