NC Odyssey
of the
Mind
Awareness Session
International Creative Problem-Solving Program
NCOM Eastern Region
Mission
To Provide Creative Problem-Solving
Opportunities for everyone
and
To Foster Original and Divergent Thinking
Teams, Coaches, Practices, Meets
History of Odyssey of the Mind
The program was started by a NJ College
Educator, Dr. C. Samuel Micklus (Dr. Sam)
Dr. Sam challenged students in his courses
to solve assignments in unusual and creative
ways. At the end of the semester, students
presented their solutions in a competition
In 1978-1979, the Odyssey of the Mind program began.
Originally it was called Olympics of the Mind
North Carolina was one of the 1st States outside NJ to participate and compete
in an OotM World Finals (we’re currently in our 31st year). Non-profit
organizations in individual states/countries operate the program in their area
Creative Competitions, Inc. (the international organization) was formed
to develop the problems and administer the program at the national,
and later, the international level
 OOTM develops real-life communication and
brainstorming skills, and rewards creativity and
“calculated” risk-taking in the solution of complex
problems
 Focus is to develop divergent, independent-thinking
skills (thinking outside the box, taking the path less
traveled) through a challenging, AND FUN, learning
process
What do we mean by divergent-thinking?
Convergent Problem Solving
- for every problem, there is just one correct answer
Divergent Problem Solving
- for every problem, there may be many correct answers
Odyssey of the Mind encourages young people to explore
many possible answers and to be creative in finding a solution
Odyssey of the Mind allows kids to use their imaginations
to interpret and solve complex problems in a FUN way!
Odyssey of the Mind Involves…
The Most
Creative
and
Original
Solution Possible
Memberships & Team Structure
Memberships are from: schools, clubs, churches, libraries,
community groups and home schools
Teams of up
to 7 members
P-DI-DII-DIII-DIV
Primary: K-2
Div I: Grades K-5
Div II: Grades 6 – 8
Div III Grades 9 - 12
Div IV: Enrollment in College
(based upon highest grade team member)
Solutions to the problems are ENTIRELY that of the team.
No OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE is allowed
OUTSIDE
ASSISTANCE
Questions –
YES
Answers - NO
The Three Components of OOTM
Spontaneous
Long-Term
100 Points
• On the Spot
200 Points
• Anything Goes
• 3 Types
- Verbal
- Hands On
- Combo/Hybrid
• Specific Rules
• Open-Ended
• Solution Presented
in Skit Form (8-min)
Style
50 Points
• Elaboration of LT
• Pizzazz, Sparkle, Polish
• Team Chosen Elements
Total 350 Points
Long-Term + Style + Spontaneous = Total Score
The Long-Term Problems
There are six new problems each year
(Aug -Sept)
200 Points
P1 Vehicle
– “Driver’s Test”
P2 Technical – “The Not-So-Haunted House”
P3 Classics – “It’s How We Rule”
P4 Structure – “The Stackable Structure”
P5 Theatrical – “Seeing is Believing”
Primary – Demo Only “The World’s First Art Festival”*
*Not all problems are offered in all age Divisions
Performance Time Limit:
8 minutes
There is a Cost Limit to each problem ($125-145)
- Only the materials used in competition are
included in the cost
- Duct tape & cardboard, lawn-sale value,
scavenging
- Some items are exempt from cost,
these are listed in the
Odyssey of the Mind™ Program Guide
What do OMER’s Need?
Commitment
Participation requires a commitment by
Team members and Coaches
Teams generally work on their LT Problems from Oct-Feb.
Meeting times vary by age and team. In general, teams meet
twice a week.
This is a very large commitment and not all teams make it to
their regional tournament therefore:
EVERY TEAM PRESENTING A SOLUTION IS A WINNER !
One team is awarded 1st Place for each LT Problem and
Division
In NC 1st and 2nd Place Teams are invited to attend the State
Tournament.
Coaches
All Volunteers
Regional Training
Support: Books, Videos, Web pages,
Telephone.
www.odysseyofthemind.org
www.ncom.org
www.ncome.org
regional-director@ncome.org
• Training
• Tournament
• Temperament
• 2 – 4 hours
• No training
• Pre-tournament or
at tournament
Expenses
• Membership in Odyssey of the Mind
International $135 per school or org.
• NCOM Regional & State Registration
$105 per team. $85 per team Early Bird
before (December 21)
• Coaches’ Training per Coach
$20 ($15 if pre-registered)
Team Support
• Snacks & Supplies
•R&D
• Judge
• Volunteer
• Travel to Tournaments
Timeline
Late August – Mid December
Purchase international membership
October 26, 2013
Coaches Training - Salem MS, Apex
November 9, 2013
Technology Fair
December 21, 2013
Early Bird Registration Deadline
January 25, 2014
Spontaneous Fair – Mills Park Elem., Apex
February 8, 2014
Judges Training – Morris Grove Elem., Chapel Hill
March 1, 2014
Eastern Region Tournament
Seawell Elem, Smith MS, Chapel Hill HS
NCOM State Tournament
April 5, 2014
Central Region
Wingate University, Wingate, NC
World Finals - 2014
May 28- 31
Iowa State University - Ames, Iowa


An International Extravaganza
The Odyssey of the Mind is truly a worldwide competition. Participants
include teams from Australia, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg), Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan,
Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Siberia, Singapore,
Slovakia, the United Kingdom, West Africa, and practically every state in the
U.S. The annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an event to behold. It
embodies the international spirit of creativity!
www.odysseyofthemind.com
www.ncom.org
www.ncome.org