Welcome to Judge Training:

Introduction to Judge Training Sessions

• Odyssey of the Mind Overview
• WPA Judging Jumpstart
• The Role of the Judge
• What to Expect at the Tournament
• Final Tips for Judges

This ppt is the Preliminary Training to the Mandatory in-person WPA Judge Training. The video to go with this ppt can be found at https://www.wpaodyssey.org/videos

What Is Odyssey Of The Mind?

• International creative problem-solving program and competition for grades K-college
• Aligned with STEAM, Common Core, and 21^st Century Learner Skills.
• Teams can be found in over 35 states and over 25 countries
• Founded in 1978 by Industrial Design Professor, Dr. Sam Micklus, on the premise: CREATIVE THINKING CAN BE LEARNED

• Odyssey of the Mind Overview

Creative Competitions, Inc – Newell, NJ

WPA Region Problem Captains, Board, & Regional Directors,

Angela Melton & Susan Rosati wpaodyssey.org

PA Board & State Problem Captains

Led by David Palermo, Association Director

Creativity Unlimited in PA paodyssey.com

YOU: School, SD Coordinator, Coach, Judges, Volunteers, Students, Parents

Odyssey HQ odysseyofthemind.com

Sammy & Cheryl Micklus, Board & International Problem Captains (IPC)

Six regions in PA = PA State Association

Associations: States/Countries

LOCAL

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REGION

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STATE

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HQ

WORLD

FINALS

• Odyssey of the Mind Overview

• Odyssey of the Mind is essentially an all-volunteer organization.

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• We need trained, experiences, excited, caring and competent judges in order to run a solid and fair tournament.

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program and competition.

• Odyssey of the Mind Overview

• Registration:
• If you are judging for a team, your coach will register you through the HQ site.
• If you are not registered yet through HQ, you or your coach may need ask the RD to re-open your registration. Reg closes January 22.
• If you are not affiliated with a team, you need to register yourself via this link.

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• When you are registered as a judge, you are automatically registered for In-Person Judge Training because it is mandatory. There is no separate registration for Training.

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• As a WPA Regional Long Term judge, you WILL be required to go to State Finals with your team, if they advance.

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• As a WPA Regional Spontaneous judge, you MAY be required to go to State Finals with your team, if they advance.

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• Some Spontaneous Judges will be diverted to the score room to work during Regionals. This will still count as your team’s required Spontaneous judge.

Judging Jumpstart -

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

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• There is a shortened training for experienced Spontaneous judges. You need to have been trained in Spontaneous judging and worked at least 2 competitions. You need to register to request this session. If you are a teacher looking for ACT 48 Credit hours, you need to attend the regular training session.

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• Spontaneous Training will be in a different building. Info on website.

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• If there is a weather delay or a cancellation of Judge Training - Judges, coaches, and coordinators will receive an email by 7:45 am. WPA website will also be updated to indicate the change.

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• Judge Training schedule will be online the week of training. Check for your room assignment and start time. https://www.wpaodyssey.org/copy-of-judge-training

Judging Jumpstart -

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

What Does An Odyssey Team Do?

• Solve a long-term problem which takes the form of an 8-minute skit-like presentation,
• Embellish their solution with style elements, and
• Practice 3 types of spontaneous problems and compete in one type… off-the-cuff!

All of the ideas and creations are the work of the team. Outsiders are not allowed to contribute to any part of the solution.

This is called Outside Assistance.

Teams are made up of 5-7 students who work together to:

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

What does a team do at competition

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• Perform a Long-Term/Problem solution - Chose one problem to solve. Each has a different theme. 200 Points

Primary Problem

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Problem 5

Performance

Problem 4

Structure

Problem 3

Classics

Problem 2

Technical

Problem 1

Vehicle

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Primary Problem

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Problem 5

Performance

Problem 4

Structure

Problem 3

Classics

Problem 2

Technical

Problem 1

Vehicle

What does a team do at competition

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• Perform a Long-Term/Problem solution - Choose one problem to solve. Each has a different theme. 200 Points
• Add Style to their Solution – Enhancements, talents, or skills added to the solution. 50 points

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Primary Problem

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Problem 5

Performance

Problem 4

Structure

Problem 3

Classics

Problem 2

Technical

Problem 1

Vehicle

Verbal

Verbal/Hands-On

Hands-On

Spontaneous Problems

All Divisions

Practice 3 types – compete in one

What does a team do at competition

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• Perform a Long-Term/Problem solution - Choose one problem to solve. Each has a different theme. 200 Points
• Add Style to their Solution – Enhancements, talents, or skills added to the solution. 50 points
• Compete in ONE Spontaneous Problem – Three types to practice. One given to solve at competition. 100 Points

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Division I (3-5)

Division II (6-8)

Division III (9-12)

Choose one problem

Primary Problem

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Primary Team (K-2)

One option

Problem 5

Performance

Problem 4

Structure

Problem 3

Classics

Problem 2

Technical

Problem 1

Vehicle

Verbal

Verbal/Hands-On

Hands-On

Spontaneous Problems

All Divisions

Practice 3 types – compete in one

What does a team do at competition

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• Perform a Long-Term/Problem solution - Choose one problem to solve. Each has a different theme. 200 Points
• Add Style to their Solution – Enhancements, talents, or skills added to the solution. 50 points
• Compete in ONE Spontaneous Problem – Three types to practice. One given to solve at competition. 100 Points

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Teams compete against other teams in the same problem and division.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Division I (3-5)

Division II (6-8)

Division III (9-12)

Choose one problem

Primary Problem

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Primary Team (K-2)

One option

Problem 5

Performance

Problem 4

Structure

Problem 3

Classics

Problem 2

Technical

Problem 1

Vehicle

Verbal

Verbal/Hands-On

Hands-On

Spontaneous Problems

All Divisions

Practice 3 types – compete in one

You have agreed to represent a team as either their long-term problem judge (which also includes the style judge) or their spontaneous judge. Thank you!

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Note: You will be trained in the problem the team you represent has chosen. But you will not judge the division of the team you represent or a team which has a family member on it.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Your team is counting on you to fulfil their

Judge & Volunteer Requirements:

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1.  In order to compete in our Regional Tournament:

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• Every TEAM must provide 1 trained Long-Term (Problem) Judge who will attend training and judge at the Regional Tournament.

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• Every TEAM must provide 1 day-of Volunteer who will work a short shift on tournament day.

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• Every MEMBERSHIP must provide 1 trained Spontaneous Judges who will attend training and judge at the Regional Tournament for every 2 teams in the membership.

*For example: Memberships with 1-2 Teams need 1 spont judge.

Memberships with 3-4 teams need 2 spont judges.

Memberships with 5-6 teams need 3 spont judges, and so on.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Judge & Volunteer Requirements:

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2.  In order to compete in Spontaneous Fun Day (when it is a judging format):

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• Every TEAM must provide 1 Spontaneous Judge who will attend training and judge at the event.
• Every TEAM must provide 1 day-of Volunteer to work the event.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Judge & Volunteer Requirements:

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3.  When teams advance to PA State Finals:

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• Every TEAM must provide 1 trained Long-Term (Problem) Judge* who attended a Regional training and worked a Regional Tournament.

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• Every School District/Entity with 1-2 teams going, must provide 1 spontaneous judge*… with 3-4 Teams going, must provide 2 spont judges… and with 5-6 teams must provide 3 spont judges, and so on

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*NOTE: It is important to identify, before Judge Training day, Judges who will accompany your team to State Finals.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Judge & Volunteer Requirements:

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4.  When teams advance to World Finals:

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• There are no volunteer or judge requirements of advancing teams or memberships related to World Finals.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

Judge & Volunteer Requirements:

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5.  Judge Related Penalty

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• Any team/membership which does not provide TRAINED & EXPERIENCED Long Term and Spontaneous Judges to represent their team/membership at the Regional and State Tournaments could receive a penalty of up to 25 points.

• WPA Judging Jumpstart

We couldn’t do it without you!

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The teams are counting on a fair and competent judging panel!

What Does A Judge Do?

WPA & PA Odyssey of the Mind are all volunteer organizations. Adult volunteers are needed to help maintain a quality competition. Judges can be parents, neighbors, grandparents, teachers (ACT 48 credit is awarded.) Many judges come back year after year saying they are amazed by how creative the teams are and how differently the teams solve the same problem.

There are several jobs a judge can be assigned:

• Score the long-term solution
• Score the Style elements of the solution
• Be an audience manager
• Be a timekeeper
• Be a score checker
• Score the Spontaneous competition

• The Role of the Judge

THE JUDGE’S ATTITUDE!

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• Perky morning people
• Be thrilled . . . smile . . . invite the students to show off their work
• Body language and facial expressions are very important
• Don’t wear anything that indicates a school affiliation 

Most teams won’t advance – this is their OotM experience.  

�YOU ARE THE FACE OF THE PROGRAM!

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• The Role of the Judge

Fair/Consistent

• Treat everyone the same
• Call what you see for everyone

Knowledgeable

• Rules/nuances/ spirit of the problem
• Look for points, not penalties

Firm/Team player

• Be open to your fellow judges’ opinions
• Be able to explain your position

Pleasant/Encouraging

• The teams are the reason we do this
• They need to feel they are not judged negatively

Great

How to be a good judge

• The Role of the Judge

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

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• Teams worked for months creating their solutions. For most teams, this 8-minute performance is all the time they have to show their work. Make it rewarding. 

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• Most teams will not advance. This is their OotM experience. You are the face of the program!

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• You might judge 10 or more teams, but each is different. Keep up your enthusiasm for every team!

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• No matter how much experience you have, no one has ever judged this problem before. They’re new every year!

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• Feel free to discuss the solution with other judges to ensure you didn’t miss anything. Give teams every point they earn!

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• Use the range when scoring subjective categories. Creativity is diverse!

• The Role of the Judge

OBJECTIVE SCORING

Something is completed or not completed.

�For Example:� The vehicle travels in reverse…0 or 10 points.

�Was it successful?�

Yes.  Then the team gets the predetermined number of points listed in the problem. �

No.  Then the team gets zero points for that scoring category.

• No partial score.
• Gets scored only one time. 
• Every judge has the same score for these categories.
• May be attempted multiple times unless the problem states otherwise.

• The Role of the Judge

SUBJECTIVE SCORING

based on the opinion of the judge

�Example:

Creative use of a material in a costume…1 to 10 points.

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• Scores are generally different from judge to judge.
• No penalty is given if the element was not presented. (Just a score of zero points for that element.)
• Consider classroom style scoring. Give teams credit (score) for the effort/idea as well as for the level of the result.�

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• The Role of the Judge

DO NOT INFLUENCE – OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

• What you discuss at Judge Training, stays in the room unless specifically directed by the PC to inform coach.
• Only team members may have ANYTHING to do with their solution.
• Remind all coaches and parents of outside assistance.

• The Role of the Judge

Omers Award – awarded to any person/team exemplifying the spirit of Odyssey of the Mind.

�Ranatra Fusca Award – Odyssey of the Mind highest award for exceptional creativity and risk taking.

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You will be asked as a judging panel to look for opportunities to nominate persons/teams for these awards.

Special Awards given at each level of competition:

Regionals, States, Worlds

• The Role of the Judge

Advancing to the Next Level &

Judge Requirements

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WPA Region:

• 1st, 2nd and Ranatra Fusca winners are eligible to advance to PA State Finals.
• Long Term ( Problem ) Judges are required to go with their team to State Finals.
• Spontaneous Judges are required to go with the teams to SF based on the number of teams from that school district who advance.

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PA State Finals:

• 1st, 2nd and Ranatra Fusca winners are eligible to advance to the World Finals.
• Judges for World Finals are invited and selected by International Problem Captains.
• Local judges do not have to go with their teams to Worlds.

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• The Role of the Judge

JUDGES…

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All of us, the regional board of directors, are here to help you make sure the students enjoy the best possible tournament and feel proud of their work.

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If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact one of us. wpaodyssey.org/contacts

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…WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

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• The Role of the Judge

Typical long-term problem performance space

LT & Style

Stage

• What to Expect at the Tournament

Staging Area Judge Greet & relax teams. Check paperwork. Give teams the chance to fix anything that is wrong or missing.

�Timekeeper/Announcer Introduce yourself to the teams. Take paperwork to the judges and announce the team to the audience.

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Judge Positions

LT & Style

Stage

• What to Expect at the Tournament

Problem & Style Judges Know what to score. Congratulate the team after its performance. Ask questions in a warm manner that prompt the team members to talk and even brag about their solution. Such as, “Where did you get the idea to make it a…”

Judge Positions

Stage

• What to Expect at the Tournament

Scorechecker – Make sure the scores are in range and are compiled correctly. In cases where scores are significantly different alert the Head Judge.

�Head Judge – Manage the judging team. Meet with the coach and give the scores before they are entered into the scoring program. Any single penalty of 25 or more points must be reported by the Head Judge to the Problem Captain and Tournament Director before being processed in Scoring.

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Judge Positions

LT & Style

Stage

• What to Expect at the Tournament

Door Keeper/Audience Manage –  Monitors door so it is closed during the performance.  Monitors no food and drink in competition spaces.  

Judge Positions

LT & Style

• What to Expect at the Tournament

Typical Spontaneous Competition Site

Spontaneous Holding areas – classrooms

Spontaneous Competition rooms

Spontaneous Holding Areas Classrooms where teams come at a designated time to be check in by the judge.

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Teams walk to the competition site with a Spontaneous judge.

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Competition Room Teams go in without their coach and compete for the Spontaneous judges.

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Teams are walked to a pickup spot to meet their coach.

• What to Expect at the Tournament

Judge Final Tips

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• Be on time
• If judging LT, read the problem before the judge training & bring a copy to the tournament.
• Be familiar with the clarifications and bring them to the tournament.
• Have a positive attitude - even though you may not get what the kids are doing, try to put yourself in their place and recognize how much effort they have made.
• Be careful in conversations around teams, in hallways, etc. Negative comments are harmful on many levels
• If you witness Outside Assistance while in the hallway or while talking to a team after their performance, bring it to the attention of your Head Judge
• Some teams may have similar themes or solutions - treat each time you see something as if it is the first time you did. This can happen more frequently with spontaneous. If you scored it as creative the first time, it needs to be scored as creative additional times you hear the response.

• Final Tips for Judges

Judge Final Tips

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• Post it notes should be positive - share any concerns with your PC or head judge to address
• Introduce yourself to the other judges – you are part of the same team!
• Welcome and help relax the team members.
• Congratulate every team for solving the problem.
• Take notes to remember each solution.
• Consider the entire range when scoring subjective categories. 
• Have Fun!

And Finally –

• Whatever you hear or are given in judges' training should not be shared with teams or coaches.

• Final Tips for Judges

Angela & Susan: RegionalDirector.W@PAOdyssey.com

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WPA Problem Captains and other Board Members Contact Page

(Follow the pattern: prob?pc.w@paodyssey.com)

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Western PA Odyssey of the Mind: https://www.wpaodyssey.org/

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WPA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPAOM

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International Odyssey of the Mind (HQ): Odysseyofthemind.com

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PA Odyssey of the Mind: PAOdyssey.com

Stay in Touch

Don’t have preconceived notions of how the problems should be solved!

What you might see at an Odyssey of the Mind Competition….�(keep scrolling)

Style Elements

Added scored elements that enhance the solution – a chance to showcase talents and skills.