AL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CREATIVE… DIVERGENT THINKING… BEYOND THE BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CREATIVE… DIVERGENT THINKING… OUT-OF-THE-BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CLASSICS… VEHICLE… PERFORMANCE…BALSA…DIVERGENT THINKING… BEYOND THE BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… INSPIRATION.… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPTWRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CREATIVE… DIVERGENT THINKING… BEYOND THE BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CREATIVE… DIVERGENT THINKING… BEYOND THE BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CREATIVE… DIVERGENT THINKING… OUT-OF-THE-BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CLASSICS… VEHICLE… PERFORMANCE…BALSA…OUT-OF-THE-BOX PROBLEM SOLVING… MECHANICAL… ARTISTIC… TECHNICAL… TEAM WORK… REWARDS RISK TAKING… CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS… CHALLENGING… FUN… BRAINSTORMING… ACTING… CONSTRUCTION… INSPIRATION… SCRIPT WRITING… STYLE… SPONTANEOUS… CLASSICS… VEHICLE… PERFORMANCE…BALSA

WHAT IS… ODYSSEY OF THE MIND

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

Western PA Odyssey of the Mind: All volunteer board, including Problem Captains and others. Regional Directors, Angela Melton & Susan Rosati. Organizes Western Region Tournament. wpaodyssey.org

PA Odyssey of the Mind: All volunteer board, including State Problem Captains and others. Association Director, David Palermo. Organizes Pennsylvania State Finals. 501(c)(3) Creativity Unlimited in PA paodyssey.com

School-based teams, coordinators, coaches, judges, volunteers, students, parents

Odyssey HQ: Led by Sammy & Cheryl Micklus, Board & International Problem Captains (IPC), including Creative Competitions, Inc – Newell, NJ

Organizes Odyssey of the Mind World Finals odysseyofthemind.com

Six regions in PA = PA State Association

LOCAL

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STATE

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HQ

The Bigger Picture: How is Odyssey of the Mind organized?

• Students learn divergent, beyond the box thinking
• Unique solutions and risk-taking are rewarded
• Process and competition focus on teamwork
• Develop the life-long skill of creative problem solving
• Fun, friendship, & pride in their accomplishments!

What do students get out of Odyssey?

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:

What does a team do at competition?

Division I (gr. 3-5)

Division II (gr. 6-8)

Division III (gr. 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

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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.

What does a problem look like?

• Perform a Long-Term/Problem solution

• Perform a Long-Term/Problem solution

Style Elements

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

• Add Style to their Solution

• Compete in ONE Spontaneous Problem

How can Odyssey work in my school?

WHO PARTICIPATES?

Schoolwide, through gifted programs, or community-based teams

WHO COACHES?

Parents, teachers, or other community members

WHERE DO WE PRACTICE?

After school or weekends-in parents home, classrooms, or community spaces

WHO PAYS?

Families, fundraising, schools- or a combination

One program. Many ways to make it work!

What volunteers are needed?

Each Organization needs:

1 program coordinator

Each team needs:

1-2 coaches

1 long term judge

1 day-of volunteer

Each membership needs:

1 spontaneous judge*

What support is available?

Western PA Odyssey of the Mind provides training, resources, and ongoing guidance to help schools build a successful program.

• In-person Coach Training covering all aspects of competition
• Monthly Zoom Roundtables for coaches and coordinators covering training topics, updates, and more
• Additional Coach Trainings at key stages throughout the season

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Schools and volunteer coaches have support

throughout the process.

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Training schedule: wpaodyssey.org

Train Your Brain To Think Differently�THE EFFECT OF ODYSSEY OF THE MIND

PREMISE: By being exposed to creative problem solving activities, students become resilient, enthusiastic risk-takers and creative, divergent thinkers. These attributes are the foundations for critical thinkers and confident learners.

MEANS: Odyssey of the Mind activities lead students through open-ended problem solving. They focus on teamwork, risk taking, creativity, and analysis. Open-ended problems mean there is not one correct answer students are lead toward. This encourages students to find different, creative avenues to complete the tasks. Students learn to see things as they are not defined – which opens up the possibility for unique, creative thought.

What does a judge do?

Odyssey of the Mind is essentially an all volunteer organization. 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

What does a coach do?

• You don’t have to know how to solve the problem to be a coach or think you’re particularly creative. In Odyssey, “outside assistance” is not allowed. The students have to create, design, build, and perform all elements of their solution.
• The coach facilitates the team - keeps a schedule - helps the team learn to work together - facilitates brainstorming – introduces learning experiences.
• You only have to genuinely like kids and want to help them grow in order to be a GREAT Odyssey of the Mind coach!

* Typically teams who place 1^st and 2^nd at the Regional and State Tournaments advance to the*

PA Odyssey offers grants to new memberships - your first year is basically on us!

What does it cost to participate?

Link for grant information

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* Typically teams who place 1^st and 2^nd at the Regional and State Tournaments advance to the next level of competition where extra costs are incurred.

To get started:

1. Contact your WPA Regional Directors to get support and brainstorm ideas.
2. Talk to your school principal, school administrator, or community group about sponsoring or sanctioning teams.
3. Purchase a Membership and
4. Register your team - both at odysseyofthemind.com.

How does an Odyssey team get started?

Odyssey of the Mind is… creative… artistic… mechanical… technical… performance… problem solving… risk-taking… brainstorming… teamwork… construction… wood working tools… hot glue guns… duct tape… wire… rubber bands… inspiration… challenging… out-of-the box… fun… a life-long learning experience!

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Start your team, today!

Here’s to a Great Year of Creative Problem Solving!

Susan Rosati & Angela Melton

Western PA Co-Regional Directors

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Western PA Odyssey of the Mind

wpaodyssey.org

paodyssey.com

odysseyofthemind.com

RegionalDirector.W@paodyssey.com