Hudson Falls High School

March 5, 2011(Snow Date March 6, 2011)

What is Odyssey?

• Team-Building

• Problem-Solving

• Creative-Thinking

• Omer-Loving

• FUN!!!

Long Term Problems

• Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level.

World Finalists Sample Videos

• Division I “Food Court” (placed 2nd)– Teams had to create a story about one food item

accusing another food item of being bad

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RO1AYH2P4I

• Division II “Nature Trail’R” (placed 5th)– Teams had to design, build and drive a human-

powered vehicle and camper that will go on a camping trip that encountered obstacles

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nzKx4GVoEM

Spontaneous

Some spontaneous problems build verbal skills, some build mechanical skills, and some build both, but all are aimed at improving creative problem-solving talents.

Spontaneous• Hands-On

– Teams are given a variety of objects and required to ‘do’ something with them

– Example: teams are given toothpicks and marshmallows, then requested to build a tower as high as they can

• Verbal– Teams have to create a story or scenario– Example: Complete this phrase: “I am sitting

in the dark because…”

SpontaneousThe more creative the answers or way the

problem is solved, the more points a team will receive. Don’t be afraid to:

Student Commitment Needed• Weekly meetings

• 1 ½ to 2 hours once per week (Oct. to Dec.)

• 2 hours twice per week, or as needed (Jan. to Mar.)

• February Break • 2 to 4 hours per day (Tuesday through Friday)

• Painting clothes

• Spontaneous Saturday• A Saturday in late January or early February – will

notify when receive date

• 8:00 to 12:00 at Hudson Falls High School

Student Commitment Needed• Regional Competition

•Saturday, March 5th (Snow Date March 6th)

•8:00 to 5:00ish (includes Awards Ceremony)

• State Competition •1st place Regional winners in each Problem & Division

•Saturday, March 26th at SUNY Binghamton

• World Competition•1st place State winners in each Problem & Division

•May 27th to May 30th at University of Maryland

Parent Commitment Needed• Support your child

– Bring to weekly meetings– Provide occasional snacks or small supplies– $20 per child to pay for larger supplies &

provides a team shirt to wear during Competition

• Coaching or Assisting Teams– Coach’s Training November 4, 2010– 4:00 to 6:00 pm Saratoga BOCES Gick Rd.

• Judge’s Training– February 1, 2011– 7:00 to 9:00 pm Saratoga BOCES Gick Rd

More Information

• Go to www.odysseyofthemind.com

for more details.

• Contact

– Debby Pelkey 747-8350

– Mr. Jim Bennefield 747-2121