NC Odyssey of the Mind Awareness Session

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NC Odyssey of the MindAwareness Session
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International Creative Problem-Solving Program
NCOM Eastern Region Mission To Provide Creative
Problem-Solving Opportunities for
everyone and To Foster Original and Divergent
Thinking
Teams, Coaches, Practices, Meets
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History of Odyssey of the Mind
The program was started by a NJ CollegeEducator,
Dr. C. Samuel Micklus (Dr. Sam) Dr. Sam
challenged students in his courses to solve
assignments in unusual and creativeways. At the
end of the semester, students presented their
solutions in a competition In 1978-1979, the
Odyssey of the Mind program began. Originally it
was called Olympics of the Mind North Carolina
was one of the 1st States outside NJ to
participate and compete in an OOTM World Finals
(were currently in our 21st year). Non-profit
organizations in individual states/countries
operate the program in their area Creative
Competitions, Inc. (the international
organization) was formed to develop the problems
and administer the program at the national, and
later, the international level
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• OOTM develops real-life communication and
  brainstorming skills, and rewards creativity and
  calculated risk-taking in the solution of
  complex problems
• Focus is to develop divergent, independent-thinkin
  g skills(thinking outside the box, taking the
  path less traveled) through a challenging, AND
  FUN, learning process

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What do we mean by divergent-thinking?
Convergent Problem Solving - for every problem,
there is just one correct answer
Divergent Problem Solving - for every problem,
there may be many correct answers
Odyssey of the Mind encourages young people to
explore many possible answers and to be creative
in finding a solution Odyssey of the Mind allows
kids to use their imaginations to interpret and
solve complex problems in a FUN way!
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Odyssey of the Mind Involves
HARD WORK
FUN
New Challenges
The Most Creative and Original Solution
Possible
Presentation Skills
Group Dynamics
Planning
Analysis
Trial and Error
Applied Education
DOING YOUR BEST
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Memberships Team Structure Memberships are
from schools, clubs, churches, libraries,
community groups and home schools
Teams of 5-7
P-DI-DII-DIII-DIV
Primary (K-2) Div I (all under age 12 by May 1st,
2003) (or every team member in 5th grade
or less) Div II (under age 15 by May 1st, 2003)
(or every team member in 6th-8th grade) Div
III (under age 19 by May 1st, 2003) Div IV
(full-time enrollment in College) (based upon
age of oldest team member)
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The Three Components of OOTM
Spontaneous
Long-Term

• 100 Points
• On the Spot
• Anything Goes
• 3 Types
• Verbal
• Hands on- Hybrid

• 200 Points
• Specific Rules
• Open-Ended
• Solution Presented in Skit Form (8-min)

Style

• 50 Points
• Elaboration of LT
• Pizzaz, Sparkle, Polish
• Team Chosen Elements

Total 350 Points
Long-Term Style Spontaneous Total Score
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The Long-Term Problems
There are six new problems released each year
(Aug -Sept) Vehicle Problem 1 A Scene From
Above Technical Problem 2 The Know-It-All
Classics Problem 3 Put a Spin On
It Structure Problem 4 Odd Pod
Structure Theatrical Problem 5 Fooled
Ya! Primary Demonstration Only Music
Lessons Not all problems are offered in all age
Divisions
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There is a cost limit to each problem
(100-135) - therefore solutions cannot be
bought - only the materials used in
competition included in the cost - duct tape
cardboard, lawn-sale value, scavenging -
some items are exempt from cost, these are
listed in the Odyssey of the Mind Program
Guide
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Solutions to the problems are ENTIRELY that of
the team.No OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE is allowed
OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
Questions YES Answers - NO
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What do OMERs Need?
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Coaches
All Volunteers Regional Training Support Books,
Videos, Web pages, Telephone. www.odysseyofthemind
.org www.ncom.org http//ncom-e.wayfarer.org wp_ad
ams_at_bellsouth.net
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• Training
• Tournament
• Temperament

• 2 4 hours
• No training
• Pre-tournament or at tournament

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• Expenses
• Membership in Odyssey of the Mind International
  135 per school or org.
• NCOM Regional/State Registration 100 per
  Team 65 per team Early Bird before Dec 13, 2002
• Coaches Training 12 per Coach

• Team Support
• Snacks
• Supplies
• R D
• Travel to Tournaments
• Judge
• Volunteer

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Timeline
Late August Mid December
Purchase international membership
November 2, 2002
Eastern Region Coaches Training
December 13, 2002
Early Bird Registration Deadline
Eastern Region Judges Training (Snow date Feb
15, 2003)
February 8, 2003
March 8, 2003
Eastern Region Tournament
NCOM State Tournament
April 5, 2003
Odyssey of the Mind International Tournament
May 28 31, 2003
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Contact Information
North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind Dick Raley,
State Director rraley_at_bellsouth.net Regional
Directors Central Jeff Newell
jwnewell_at_duke-energy.com Coastal Betsy Adams
adamsbets_at_hotmail.com Eastern Patti Adams
wp_adams_at_bellsouth.net Northern David Asher
dasher_at_triad.rr.com Western Barbara Parris
Bparris_at_wcu.edu International
Headquarters Odyssey of the Mind c/o Creative
Competitions, Inc. 1325 Route 130 South, Suite
F Gloucester City, NJ 08030 [phone] (856)
456-7008 (fax) email to info_at_odysseyofthemind.com

http//www.odysseyofthemind.com
Check out our Website for up to date
information http//www.ncom.org