Delaware Odyssey of

the Mind

Coordinator’s Training 2012-2013

Agenda

Odyssey of the Mind / NASA Partnership

DELCAPS – Delaware Odyssey Program

Odyssey Membership / Competition Overview

A Review of the 2013 Problems / STEM Connections

Coordinator Responsibilities

10 Steps to a Successful Program

Resources

Additional Opportunities

Schedule of Events

Question & Answer Session

Odyssey of the Mind – an interesting beginning

Originated in Industrial Design

class at Glassboro State College

(now Rowan University) by Dr.

Sam Micklus in 1978.

Challenged students to create

vehicles without wheels,

mechanical pie throwers and

flotation devices that would take

them across a course on a lake.

Evaluated not on the success of

their solutions, but on the

ingenuity applied and the risk

involved in trying something new

and different – significant focus

on ‘creativity’ and ‘risk taking’

Odyssey of the Mind – partnership with NASA

Partnership with NASA began in 1996 through

efforts of Charlotte Griner, head of NASA’s

Mission To Planet Earth program.

NASA has been a big promoter of STEM in

education for years; STEM forms the foundation

that has led to NASA’s overwhelming success.

Griner: “Odyssey of the Mind problems encompass all of those

disciplines. Also, NASA expects the same qualities in its

employees as Odyssey promotes in solving its problems: team

effort, creative problem solving, thinking outside the box,

imagination, innovation, originality. I envisioned Odyssey of the

Mind participants becoming NASA's future scientists, engineers,

data managers, programmers, astronauts, etc.”

Partnership was named one of NASA's best outreach programs

by NASA Headquarters several years ago. http://www.oeta.onenet.net/video/731.html

Delaware Creative Activities&

Problem Solving, Inc.

(DELCAPS)

• Delaware affiliate of the international Odyssey of the

Mind program (Creative Competitions, Inc.)

• An all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a

board of directors governing body

• Provides training for Coordinators, Coaches & Judges

• Coordinates two Regional Qualifying Competitions and

a State Finals Tournament

• Foster partnerships with schools throughout the state

Odyssey of the Mind – Delaware’s history

Program started in Delaware in 1980.

Significant expansion into New Castle County in mid-2000s.

Averaged 10% annualized growth over past 10 years.

Nearly 1,800 students in 2012; largest per capita participation

rate of any Odyssey state association.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Delaware Memberships

• All teams must be sponsored by an organization.

• A membership allows for 1 team per problem and division.

• An unlimited number of Primary teams is allowed.

• Primary teams are K through 2nd grade.

• Division I teams are grades 3 - 5.

• Division II teams are grades 6 - 8.

• Division III teams are grades 9 - 12.

• Division IV teams are University and Adult Programs.

An Odyssey of the Mind Membership

The Three Components of

an Odyssey Competition

• Long Term Problem (200 Points)

• Style (50 Points)

• Spontaneous Problem (100 Points)

The problem is to design, build, and run three vehicles

that will deliver parts to an Assembly Area. The team will

create a signal that lets the audience know which vehicle

is about to travel and deliver a part. The parts will be

assembled into a pet animal. Once assembly is

completed, the animal will perform a trick. The theme of

the presentation must include the delivery of the parts, the

assembly, and the pet animal.

2013 Problems

Problem 1 (Vehicle) – Pet Project

2013 Problems

Problem 2 (Technical) –

The Email Must Go Through

The team must create and present an original performance

that includes a technical representation of messages

being sent by email. A Sender character will send three

emails: one that requires a return receipt, one with a work

of art as an attachment, and one that goes through a

SPAM filter. Two of the emails will go to a Receiver

character and another will go to an offbeat location. Each

email will pass through a central server before reaching its

final destination. Team members are not allowed to touch

the emails while the server is processing the messages.

Teams will create and present an original performance that

includes a replica of a documented architectural

structure that was built between 1,000 AD and 1,600 AD.

The performance will include three works of art that

"disappear" and two characters that go on a quest to find

them. When the works of art are found, they will be

incorporated into the replica. The performance must

also include two songs that are accompanied by some type

of choreographed movement.

2013 Problems

Problem 3 (Classics) –

ARTchitecture, The Musical

Teams will design and build a structure made of only

balsa wood and glue that will balance and support as much

weight as possible. Before weight placement begins, the

team will present a commercial that includes the structure

rolling down a ramp. The structure will be scored for how

far it rolls and for how much weight it holds. The team will

integrate the placement of the weights into the

performance.

2013 Problems

Problem 4 (Structure) –

Tumble-wood

Teams will create and present an original humorous

performance that includes two characters that act naturally to

them but odd to those around them. One scene will establish

the "normal" behavior of one character that, at some point in

the performance, finds itself among others who react to the

out-of-place behavior. The other character's behavior will

stand out too, but this character will end up in a setting where

its odd behavior is considered normal. The performance will

also include a meter that indicates the degree of

odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change.

2013 Problems

Problem 5 (Performance) –

It’s How You Look At It

The problem is to create and present a performance that

includes exploring the ocean and making discoveries.

Along the way, the team will encounter three different types

of sea life and a humorous Captain character. Teams will

also create an original reason for the ocean's waves and

make a silly discovery that they have to help keep secret.

2013 Problems

Primary (K-2, non-competitive) –

Top Sea-cret Discoveries

• Lay a Foundation with the Sponsoring Organization

• Manage the Membership

• Recruit Students, Coaches and Judges

• Provide Assistance and Moral Support to the Coaches

• Attend Competitions and Enjoy!

Coordinator’s

Responsibilities

• Purchase Membership from Creative Competitions, Inc.

• Read the Program Guide!

• Generate Awareness in your Organization

• Recruit Students

• Form Teams, Recruit Coaches

• Register Teams for Tournaments

• Register for Regional Trainings

• Recruit Volunteer Judges

• Coordinate Payment of Tournament Fees

• Attend Competitions and Enjoy The Show!

10 Steps to a Successful Program

• Purchase a Membership from Creative Competitions, Inc

• Register by mail, email, phone or the website.

• CCI accepts purchase orders, personal checks, and credit

cards (online only)

• After registration is complete a membership number is

assigned and DELCAPS receives the organization’s

information.

• Membership materials including detailed problems,

program guide, background and resource materials are

sent to each member.

STEP 1 Purchase an Odyssey Membership

• The Guide covers the program rules and regulations.

• Each team under your membership should have at least

one copy.

• Download copies from www.odysseyofthemind.com

• Hard copies may be purchased at one of the DELCAPS

training events or from CCI.

STEP 2 Read the Program Guide!!!

• Hold a Parent Interest Meeting.

• A DVD is available to help you introduce the program.

• Present the benefits of an Odyssey of the Mind experience

for the students.

• Make attendees aware of the commitment expected.

• Describe the roles of the volunteer coaches and judges.

• DELCAPS representatives are available to help with this

presentation.

STEP 3

Outreach with Parents

• Establish a schedule for recruiting, signing up and forming

teams (as early in the school year as possible).

• Design a student form that includes contact information,

interests, skills, desired teammates, preference for an

Odyssey problem, availability to meet and parent volunteer

interest.

• Use flyers, school announcements and meetings to grab

the student’s interest.

• Distribute the Odyssey problem synopses.

STEP 4

Recruit the Students

• Recruit volunteer coaches (two per team is optimal).

• Forming teams will vary from organization to organization.

• The DELCAPS philosophy is that all students can benefit

from an Odyssey of the Mind Experience … it’s not just a

Talented & Gifted program.

• Each team is required to provide a volunteer to attend

training and competition(s) as a judge.

• High school teams may be self-coached but an official

coach is required for the team to compete in a tournament.

STEP 5

Form Teams

• An Odyssey team usually has 5-7 students.

• No more than 7 team members may help solve a problem.

• If a team of 7 loses a member and a replacement is added,

an outside assistance penalty will be assessed.

• Teams with fewer than 5 members will be allowed to

compete, but the team may be at a disadvantage in the

Spontaneous competition.

• Primary teams are not subject to the 7 member rule; we ask

coordinators/coaches to use discretion.

STEP 5

Form Teams - Team Size

• The teams must be individually registered online at

www.odysseyofthemind.com.

• The membership number and zip code of the organization

is required to register the teams.

• Registration information includes coaches names, team

members and any special concerns.

• Once a team is registered in the system, changes can only

be made by DELCAPS.

STEP 6

Register the Teams with CCI

• The Creativity Kick-off offers training for coaches of all

experience levels.

• River Region - November 10, 2012

• Bay Region - November 17, 2012

• Spontaneous workshops provide insight into the world of the

spontaneous problem and guidance on preparation for this

part of the competition.

• River Region - December 1, 2012

• Bay Region - December 8, 2012

STEP 7

Register Coaches for Training

• Each team is required to provide a judge.

• Judges must attend a one-day or half-day training

session (depending on prior experience) and must be

available all day on tournament day.

• Judges who are volunteer parents typically will not be

able to see their student’s team perform.

• A team which advances from Regional to State Finals

must provide a trained volunteer who judged at a regional

tournament.

STEP 8

Recruit Judges

• Coordinators work within their organization to ensure timely

payment of all program fees.

• The tournament fee covers the cost of all training sessions.

• Teams must be registered by January 9, 2013.

• Tournament registration fees are due by February 1, 2013.

• Late fees ($25) will be assessed after this deadline. An

additional $25 fee will be assessed if not paid by

tournament day.

• If an outstanding balance is owed on the day of the

competition, the team may not be allowed to compete.

STEP 9

Payment of Tournament Fees

• Stay connected with your teams, check on their progress.

• Provide reminders of upcoming dates and deadlines.

• Attend the Pre-tournament Coaches Meeting.

• River Region - February 9, 2013

• Bay Region - February 2, 2013

• Keep the organization updated and invite administrators to

attend the competition.

• Follow your teams the day of the competition.

• Enjoy the show!

STEP 10

Enjoy the Odyssey Experience

• Membership materials

• Odyssey of the Mind

website

(www.odysseyofthemind.com)

• DELCAPS website

(www.delcaps.org)

• DELCAPS regional

representatives

• Other coordinators

and coaches

• Program guide

Resources

• Home Stay Program - Host an International Team after

World Finals.

• Scholarship - DELCAPS awards a single $1,000

scholarship to a graduating senior who has participated on

a Delaware Odyssey of the Mind team at least one year

during high school.

• Regional Representatives – new DELCAPS executive

board positions to build stronger ties at the regional level.

Additional Opportunities

Odyssey of the Mind – 2012/2013

Schedule of Events

Bay Region Oct. 17 – Coordinators Workshop @

Shields Elementary School (6:30p-8p)

Nov. 17 – Creativity Kick-off at Beacon

Middle School (9a-1p)

Dec. 8 – Spontaneous Workshop at Lake

Forest Elementary School (9a-1p)

Feb. 2 – Judges Training/Coaches

Meeting @ Sussex Central HS (9a-4p)

March 2 – Bay Regional @

Sussex Central High School

Registration Deadlines

Oct. 8 –Coordinators Workshop Jan. 9 – Regional Tournament

Oct. 26 – Creativity Kick-off Jan. 14 – Team Judges

Nov. 16 – Spontaneous Workshop Feb. 1 – Tournament Fees Due

River Region Oct. 16 – Coordinators Workshop (Eden

Support Services Center) (6:30p-8p)

Nov. 10 – Creativity Kick-off at The

Independence School (9a-1p)

Dec. 1 – Spontaneous Workshop at The

Independence School (9a-1p)

Feb. 9 – Judges Training/Coaches

Meeting @ John Dickinson HS (9a-4p)

March 16 – River Regional @

John Dickinson High School

State Finals - March 23 – Smyrna High School

World Finals – May 22-25 – Michigan State University

Delaware Odyssey of

the Mind

Coordinators Training 2012/2013

Question & Answer Session