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

• 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:

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.

Style Elements

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

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.

Odyssey Of The Mind Is At Work In Schools

The Odyssey of the Mind programs are offered to children through schools and communities.

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• Some schools offer Odyssey as part of their gifted program while others open Odyssey up to all the students.
• Coaches can be teachers, parents or other community members.
• Practice can be after school, on the weekends, in the coach’s home, at a community center or in a classroom.
• Fees related to competing are sometimes paid for by the school and other times paid for by the parents. When needed, some teams fundraise to pay for costs.

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There is not one way Odyssey works in every organization. It is flexible to meet the needs of every situation.

Volunteer Commitment

Each Organization needs:

1 program coordinator

Each team needs:

1-2 coaches

1 long term judge

1 volunteer

Each membership needs:

1 spontaneous judge*

Creativity Unlimited in PA, 501c3

Creative Competitions, Inc – Newell, NJ

Associations: States/Countries

Board & International Problem Captains (IPC)

WPA Region Problem Captains, Board, &

Regional Directors,

Angela Melton,

Susan Rosati

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PA Board &

State Problem Captains

Led by David Palermo, Association Director

School/SD Coordinator, Coach, Judges, Volunteers, Students, Parents

Odyssey HQ odysseyofthemind.com

Dr. Sam Micklus

Sammy & Cheryl Micklus

Regions: 6 in PA

wpaodyssey.org

Other Connections To Odyssey

In addition to being accessed through the official Odyssey of the Mind program, Odyssey principles have been developed into other experiences:

• In-School Makers Spaces & Creative Problem Solving Rooms with curricular tie-ins
• Summer & Weekend Camps
• Creativity Workshops: Brainstorming, Creating a Character, Improv Acting, Simple Machines, Propulsion Systems, Structures, Balsa Build
• Teacher trainings and workshops
• Non-Advancing Creativity Festivals

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 time keeper
• 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!

WPA Odyssey of the Mind Regional COSTS*

* 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.

* 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.

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