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 2 nd ) –Teams had to create a story about one food item accusing another food item of being bad – Division II “Nature Trail’R” (placed 5 th ) –Teams had to design, build and drive a human- powered vehicle and camper that will go on a camping trip that encountered obstacles –

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…”

Spontaneous The 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 5 th (Snow Date March 6 th ) 8:00 to 5:00ish (includes Awards Ceremony) State Competition 1 st place Regional winners in each Problem & Division Saturday, March 26 th at SUNY Binghamton World Competition 1 st place State winners in each Problem & Division May 27 th to May 30 th 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 for more details. Contact –Debby Pelkey –Mr. Jim Bennefield