Odyssey%20of%20the%20Mind%20Coach%20Training

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Coach Meeting
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2014-15 LONG-TERM PROBLEM SYNOPSESAll problems
have an 8-minute time limit.

• Problem 1 Runaway 'Train
  Divisions I, II, III The teams 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 vehicles 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, theres
  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 SYNOPSESAll problems
have an 8-minute time limit.

• Problem 3 Pandoras Box
  Divisions I, II, III IVIn this classics
  problem, teams will put a video game spin on the
  story of Pandoras 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 Pandoras Box,
  three characters representing different evils
  that escaped the box, and a power meter that
  represents the gamer characters 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 SYNOPSESAll 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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The Parts of a Long-Term Problem
INTRODUCTION
THE PROBLEM
LIMITATIONS
Need LT Problem Program Guide Clarifications
PENALTIES
SITE, SETUPCOMPETITION
STYLE
TOURNAMENTDIRECTORWILL PROVIDE
SCORING
TEAM WILLPROVIDE
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Odyssey of the Mind Competition

• Div. I Each team member is less than 13 years
  of age OR in grades 3-5 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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Coaching Tips

• All seven team members may present the problem
  solution.
• Teams should be prepared for the what if
• Hands-on program for kids
• Hands off for adults

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Coaching Tips

• Each team member should be responsible for one
  aspect of the long-term problem and become an
  expert on that aspect.
• The problem
• The general rules
• The limitations
• Site set-up
• Pre-staging requirements
• Scoring
• Penalties

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Coaching Tips

• There is a time limit (usually 8 minutes) for
  each long-term problem.
• In performance problems, the team may finish its
  presentation, but if it exceeds 8 minutes a
  penalty will be assessed.
• Technical long-term problems are usually stopped
  by the judge at the end of the 8 minute
  competition time. Teams should be prepared for
  what to do if something doesnt work.

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Coaching Tips

• Emphasize learning to ask the right questions.
• Team members must learn to ask not just any
  question but one that addresses a specific
  problem or condition.
• Coaches answer questions with questions.

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Coaching Tips

• Murphys Law
• If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.
• The team creates its own solution and if
  something goes wrong it is the teams
  responsibility.
• Good coaches do not allow the team members to
  waste creative energy blaming others.
• The team should have a crisis management plan in
  place so it knows what to do when something
  breaks down and practice it!

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Coaching Tips

• Better ideas come later
• What seems acceptable today may be replaced by a
  better idea tomorrow.
• Coaches must accept that he or she may not tell
  the team which idea to pursue.
• The team may change and adapt their solution
  ofteneven between competitions.
• Coaches should guide teams to produce a solution
  they are proud of.

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Coaching Tips

• Coaches should serve as role models for their
  team members.
• Remain optimistic
• Remain patient
• Remain enthusiastic
• Remain open-minded
• Remind the team that they are learning and having
  fun.
• Do not over-emphasize competition

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Long-Term Problems

• Structure
• Statement of the problem
• Problem limitations or rules
• Site and set-up conditions
• Scoring elements

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Long-Term Problems

• Six 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 Pandoras 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 Form
Materials Value Form

• MATERIAL VALUES(COST) FORM
• one copy for Staging Judge
• includes everything used during the current LT
  Style Presentation
• doesnt 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

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Assigned value items
(1) Commercially produced musical instrument and
its case. VALUE 5 or actual cost if less. (2)
Any type of audio or video recorder or player
(including radios and MP3 players). VALUE 5 or
actual cost if less. (3) Audio-visual cart.
VALUE 5 or actual cost if less. (4) Laptop or
desktop computer system (including monitor,
keyboard and connecting cables). Smartphones are
considered computers. VALUE 10 or actual cost
if less. (5) Projector of any type. VALUE 1 or
actual cost if less. (6) Television set or
monitor (not used in conjunction with a
computer). VALUE 10 or actual cost if less.
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Exempt items
(1) Extension cords and multiple plugs (2)
Batteries (3) Chairs, stools, tables and
desks (4) Jewelry (5) Problem-specific shirts
sold by CCI (6) Trash items (7) Tool kit
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Safety items exemptions
(1) Personal prescription items of team
members (2) Floor coverings (3) Required foot
coverings
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Use of batteries
Unless a problem states otherwise, only
unmodified, commercially produced sealed
batteries may be used. These are limited to the
following types zinc-carbon, alkaline, lithium,
nickel-cadmium (NiCad), nickel-metal hydride
(NiMH), and only AGM or Gel Cell types of lead
acid batteries. No other type of battery is
allowed. For example, prohibited batteries
include but are not limited to lead-acid
batteries (sealed or not sealed), zinc-air,
zinc-mercury, silver zinc, metal chloride, etc.
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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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Picking up Long-Term Scores

• Coaches may pick up long-term scores usually 30
  minutes or more after the teams performance.
• Coaches should share the score and comments with
  the team at an opportune time.
• Be aware that long-term scores may appear low but
  scores are percentaged and a low score could
  receive the maximum 200 points.
• Be careful about parent criticism of scores.

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Scoresheet Sample
Penalties
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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
• Mandatory the problem may require the
  membership sign or appearance of one character
  but the team may select which character.
• 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.
• Overall Effect this is how all the Style
  categories come together to enhance the
  performance.

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Style

• Style Form
• Four copies to the Staging Area Judge
• List the areas to be scored
• Explain how their style relates to the long-term
  problem categories
• Explain how categories 1 4 combine to make the
  overall effect

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Style Form
Style Form

• STYLE FORM
• four copies for Staging Judge
• adds to the Long-term problem
• relates to the theme of solution
• team can showcase strengths
• cannot be items already scored as part of
  Long-Term
• Categories
• - Specific Scoring Elements
• - Free Choice Elements
• - Overall Effect
• be very specific

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Style

• A style category cannot be something that is
  scored in the long-term problem
• For example, if a vehicle problem has a scoring
  category for the vehicles appearance, the team
  cannot list the vehicles appearance as one of
  the Style categories.

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Style Scoring

• The highest Style score in a competition receives
  50 points. All other teams raw scores are
  calculated and receive a percentage based on the
  highest score.
• While Style is worth a maximum of 50 points,
  Long-Term is worth a maximum of 200 points.
• Teams should not spend too much time on Style at
  the expense of the long-term solution.

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Spontaneous

• Teams 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 Problems

1. 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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Spontaneous

• Only five team members may solve the spontaneous
  problem.
• When the team enters the room, the judge will
  state the type of problem the team will be asked
  to solve.
• The team will decide which five members will
  compete.
• Teams with 5 or less members at tournament, ALL
  must participate. Be aware that competing with
  less than five members may have an adverse effect
  on the teams performance of its ability to
  achieve the maximum score possible.
• The team should decide beforehand which members
  will compete in each type of problem.

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Spontaneous Scores

• Spontaneous scores are presented after the awards
  ceremony.
• The top scoring team per division receives 100
  points and all other teams receive a
  corresponding percentage of the highest score.

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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
teams 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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Outside Assistance Form

• OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE FORM
• One copy for Staging Judge
• Only 7 members can contribute to problem solution
• Coaches are facilitators
• Coaches can assist Div I teams in filling out
  forms, but must use teams own words
• If OA did occur, list on form, may result in a
  penalty
• Penalty is proportional to amount and type of
  help given

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Questioning a Scoring Element
Once coaches review their team's long-term raw
scores with the judge, they have 30 minutes to
ask a question. Scores become official 30
minutes after the last team in a problem and
division has competed. Should a team question a
scoring element, it should discuss it with the
Head Judge and, if necessary, the Problem Captain.
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Questioning a Scoring Element
If the question involves an interpretation of the
rules and, if the team is not satisfied with the
explanation given, the team may ask that a
tribunal is convened. The tribunal will review
the rule in question and, if necessary, talk with
the coach, team members and/or judges involved.
Once the tribunal makes a decision, its decision
is final unless more information comes to light
after the tournament.
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Questioning a Scoring Element
Tribunals will not be convened for questions
regarding subjective scores or questions in such
areas as to whether something or someone is
across a line or within a certain area. In no
case will a videotape be used to make a decision.
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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!