Parent Meeting

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2014-15 LONG-TERM PROBLEM SYNOPSES

All problems have an 8-minute time limit.Problem 1: Runaway 'Train‘ Divisions I, II, & III The team’s problem is to design, build and operate one or more vehicles that will travel on tracks and make stops at different stations without touching the floor. While traveling between stations, the vehicles must overcome obstacles —moving uphill, towing something, and more. The theme of the performance will explain the vehicle’s difficulties on the track and will include a ‘conductor’ character. Once the vehicle reaches its final destination it will display a flag or banner during a victory lap!Cost limit: $145 USD.

Problem 2: Experiencing Technical Difficulties Divisions I, II, III, & IVThe problem is to design, build, and demonstrate various devices that complete specific tasks. The team will create a theme where technical failures must be resolved through completing the tasks. There will be a list of tasks to choose from including ring a bell, change the wording on something, sound an alarm, move an object, etc. There will also be a mysterious engineer character. Of course, there’s a twist — all of the devices must be powered by rubber bands! Cost limit: $145 USD.

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2014-15 LONG-TERM PROBLEM SYNOPSES

All problems have an 8-minute time limit.Problem 3: Pandora’s Box Divisions I, II, III & IVIn this classics problem, teams will put a video game spin on the story of Pandora’s Box. A gamer character will take on this multi-level game inspired by the Greek myth. The game will include a prologue that depicts the original story of Pandora’s Box, three characters representing different evils that escaped the box, and a power meter that represents the gamer character’s health. To beat the game, the player will advance to the final level where it will release hope into the world. Cost limit: $125 USD.

Problem 4: Lose Your Marbles Divisions I, II, III & IVThis problem requires teams to design, build, and test a structure, made only of balsa wood and glue, that will balance and support as much weight as possible. The structure will also hold five marbles that will be released during weight placement as a result of a team-created device removing a piece of the structure. After the crusher board and one additional weight are placed on top of the structure, the first marble will be released. After the next weight is supported, the team will use its device to release another marble, and so on. The team will incorporate weight placement and “losing your marbles” into the theme of the performance. Cost limit: $145 USD.

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2014-15 LONG-TERM PROBLEM SYNOPSES

All problems have an 8-minute time limit.Problem 5: Silent Movie Divisions I, II, III & IVLights, camera...action! In this problem teams will create and present a performance depicting a Director character that produces and presents a silent movie featuring a humorous villain character that commits three silly acts of “villainy”. Characters that are in the movie may not speak as part of the presentation of the movie. Instead, like classic silent films, the team will use music played on a team-created instrument and creatively displayed subtitles to convey its story to the audience and judges. Also, teams will use a signal to indicate when the movie begins and ends. Cost limit: $125 USD.

Primary: Wacky Weather Warning Grades K-2Teams will create and present a humorous performance where a meteorologist makes three predictions of “wacky weather”. The meteorologist will speak in rhymes and use a team-created forecasting device and a backdrop that serves as a weather map. The community will “tune in” to get the weather report in any creative way the team wishes. Cost limit: $125 USD.

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Odyssey of the Mind Competition

• Div. I: Each team member is less than 13 years of age OR in grades K-5 on May 1, 2015.

• Div. II: Does not qualify for Div. I AND less than 15 years of age OR in grades 6 through 8 on

May 1, 2015.• Div. III: Does not qualify for Div. I or II AND each

team member is attending grades 9 through 13 on May 1, 2015.

• Div. IV:Collegiate

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Teams

• Teams consist of up to 7 members.• Teams may add to the roster until it

reaches 7 team members.• Once a team member has attended a

meeting and has been present during any part of the solution finding, he/she must remain on the roster.

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Problem Selection

• Review problems in which the team is eligible to compete.

• Have the team members discuss the pros and cons of each problem.

• Let the team members vote on the problem they want to solve.

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Roles of the Coach

• Facilitate the team without doing the work for them. Allow the team to make all decisions regarding the solution.

• Interact with the team to improve the way the team identifies and solves the problem.

• Make sure all team members are involved in the process of issue identification, idea generation, solution finding and solution presentation.

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Roles of the Coach

• Provide the impetus for the team to develop strategies, generate ideas, evaluate options or reach a decision (brainstorming)

• Encourage the team to produce fresh ideas, think “out of the box”, work cooperatively and develop communication skills.

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Roles of the Coach

• Provide a safe environment with no criticism of team members as they develop their solution.

• Stay well informed of all problem rules and program guidelines and pass the information on to the team members.

• Develop a timeline working backwards from the competition date.

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Long-Term Problems

Structure

Statement of the problem Problem limitations or rulesSite and set-up conditionsScoring elements

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Long-Term ProblemsSix new Long-Term problems are released each year

(Sept).The PROBLEM SYNOPSES briefly describe these:• Vehicle – Problem 1 “Runaway 'Train‘”• Technical – Problem 2 “Experiencing Technical

Difficulties”• Classics – Problem 3 “Pandora’s Box”• Structure – Problem 4 “Lose Your Marbles”• Theatrical – Problem 5 “Silent Movie”• Primary – Demonstration Only “Wacky Weather

Warning”• All problems (except Primary) are offered to all age Divisions• There is a cost limit to each problem (usually ~$135-

145)- therefore solutions cannot be “bought”- only the materials used in competition included in the cost- duct tape & cardboard, lawn-sale value, scavenging- some “standard” and safety items are exempt from cost, these are listed in Program Guide (page 47-49).

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Long-Term Problems

• Teams compete according to Division

• All team members may present the solution

• Teams often say “time” in a creative way at the end of their presentation

Must have a clear signal to the judges to indicate that they have finished

Many problems require teams to present to the judge how they will signal time

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Material Values FormMATERIAL VALUES

(COST) FORM• one copy for Staging Judge• includes everything used

during the current LT & Style Presentation

• doesn’t include items used during practice/trial runs

• garage sale value if used items

• combine value of small items• exemptions (Program Guide

p.49)• be “creative” in acquiring

materials, the art of scavenging

• cardboard & duct-tape• even “donations” have value

Materials Value Form

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Long-Term Problems

After the team presents its solution judges will visit with the team members.

Coaches and parents must stay away during this important time. (Penalties can be assessed!)

Encourage teams to tell the judges about their solution and be proud. This is their time to shine!

Encourage all team members to visit with the judges. Tell them that judges do not like to have one team member “take over”.

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Style

Style is an elaboration of the long-term problem solution designed to encourage teams to go beyond simply meeting the requirements by adding creative elements.

Style category selections should emphasize elements the team is particularly proud of

•Costume•Song•Scenery•Poem

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Style

Each long-term problem has five Style categories

1. Mandatory – the problem may require the membership sign or appearance of one character but the team may select which character.

2. Free Choice of Team – the team should select elements they wish to have scored as long as they are not already scored in the long-term scoring for that problem.

3. Overall Effect – this is how all the Style categories come together to enhance the performance.

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SpontaneousTeams will be given a problem to solve “spontaneously”.

Coaches and spectators may not attend the spontaneous aspect of the competition.

All teams in a division have the same problem.

Teams must PRACTICE!Teams will be nervous, the coaches

must help the team relax and focus.Be prepared, anything goes!The problems MUST be kept a secret,

not even coaches may be told the problem.

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Spontaneous Problems1. Verbal – problems that require teams to

respond verbally and rapidly. Creative or Common responses.

2. Hands-On – problems that require teams to build or create a solution.

Team effort is rewarded.

3. Verbal/Hands-On – problems combining both verbal and hands-on

components.

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Odyssey of the Mind Scoring

Long-Term – 200 possible points

Spontaneous – 100 possible points

Style – 50 possible points

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Penalties

Each long-term problem lists penalties. These are intended to ensure that teams do not circumvent the rules, present a safety hazard, cause delays in the tournament or act inappropriately.

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Penalties

Spirit of the Problem – penalizes teams attempting to circumvent the intention of the rules or the problem itself. (-1 to -100 pts.)Unsportsmanlike Conduct – penalties occur when teams (including coaches) hurt another team’s chances, are disruptive, use profanity and so on.Outside Assistance – penalties assessed when a team uses help from someone other than its members. (-5 to -200 pts.)

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Clarifications• When a question arises for which there

appears to be no written rule the team should submit a problem clarification request.

• Many problem clarifications are answered with a reference such as “See B, 3”.

• General rule in Program Guide apply to every long-term problem.

• Clarifications take precedence over limitations listed in the problem and those take precedence over the rules in the guide, so it is important that teams keep current on all general clarifications issued throughout the year.

• Current clarifications can be found at www.odysseyofthemind.com

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Thank You for Coming

Remember to let the kids have fun on their own!