Coaches Corner
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Odyssey in Germany? Eurofest 2013! Would your team like to go? Here's how:
Dear friends,
I hope you are enjoying the summer! This is just a reminder that we invite
US and International teams to Eurofest 2013 which will be held in Germany
from April 26 – May 1 at Werbellinsee, appr. 1 hour northeast of Berlin.
We will be ready to welcome up to 10 teams from the USA and a few teams from
outside Europe. Qualification at Regionals or States is not necessary.
However, teams must have competed at least at one competition before
Eurofest.
For US teams, we will primarily accept teams who have served as Homestay
teams and/or buddy teams (not only for Germany) in the past or promise to do
so in 2013. However, all teams may apply. Although we will open
registrations on February 1, it would be good for US teams to contact us
early to make all necessary arrangements (school boards, passports,
fundraising). We will confirm teams as early as December. There has to be an
OK from the Association Director before teams are accepted.
The registration fee is not set yet. We will publish the fee on late
December. It will not be more than 230 EUR per person for full room and
board.
For Officials, please contact me (stefan@odysseyofthemind.de) and Christian
(christian@odysseyofthemind.de). We will ask for a registration fee from US
officials, as we only have a limited number of free packages which we want
to reserve for European judges.
Please have a look at our preliminary website at www.odysseyofthemind.eu. We
will add more content in the fall and get back to you. You can all follow us
on Facebook (Odyssey of the Mind Eurofest 2013)
Best regards
Stefan Hübner
Direktor / Director
Germany International - Odyssey of the Mind
CTOM Powerpoint - Introduction Session
This is available for Coaches and Coordinators who would like to introduce Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind to others in their town or region who might be interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind. Please click here to download the powerpoint.
The Long Term Problem
Every year, CCI creates 6 new problems in 6 categories- we call them the Long Term Problem:
1. Vehicle - teams build vehicles of various sizes, using different power sources, to perform a series of tasks.
2. Technical - Teams design innovative contraptions to incorporate into a performance or set of tasks.
3. Classical- Students select a piece of history, literature or art as part of their solution.
4. Structure - participants create a structure of balsa wood and glue designed to hold weight.
5. Performance - teams develop ideas for a solution around a specific theme with several required elements.
6. Primary - our youngest competitors (K-2) solve a simpler version of the Long Term Problem
All of the problems involve a performance of some kind. There is building, creating, designing, and performing in all of the problems. And the students are responsible for coming up with every prop, piece of scenery, device, structure, vehicle, every line in the skit. Creativity is left solely to the students on the team. Adults aren't allowed to help!
PROBLEM CLARIFICATIONS
During the year, teams may ask questions of CCI regarding the Long Term problems. If CCI makes a change or an interpretation they will be posted as a CLARIFICATION here. TEAMS CHECK YOUR CLARIFICATIONS REGULARLY IN CASE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN YOUR PROBLEM!
A Crunch Time Chuckle for you!
I know it’s crunch time for planning the Finals, so I thought I’d share with you what I’m giggling about right now:
My 4 year old has a friend over and she told him she wanted to play “Pontanies.” She’s in the family room and I’m in the kitchen, so I was worried about what kind of mischief she was getting into and since I couldn’t figure out what she was saying, I listened closely.
She pulled out a stack of cards I made which has magazine pictures glued on. Our team uses it for quick verbal spontaneous problems. Then, she told her friend, “You have 1 minute to think and 100 minutes to talk.” At that point, I knew what she was playing! Her friend had no idea what she was doing, so she said, “I’m the judge and you need to do it. You can’t skip.”
He still didn’t get it (not an OMer sibling obviously!), so she proceeded to show him what to do. She started turning over cards and telling this long story about what she saw. Surprisingly, for a 4 year old it actually made sense! Then, she told her friend, “See, I would get 100 points.” Her friend told her, “I don’t like this game.” Her response, “If you want to do Odsyadamine when you’re big, you have to.”
I could tell an argument was coming, so I intervened and pulled out a different toy.
I wish I had videotaped it! I’m still laughing now. Shared by Regan Allan.
TESTIMONIALS
"It teaches kids to work as
a team and that hard work and creativity will get you anywhere!"
- Team Member, Middle School