Vermont Odyssey of the Mind

All coaches — whether new, veteran, or just thinking about it — for Odyssey of the Mind are strongly encouraged to attend one of two possible training sessions for this year’s Odyssey of the Mind program.  It is helpful to hear, or hear again, the foundation of what makes OM the quality creative problem-solving program for which it is known.  Learn what coaches can do, and more importantly, what they cannot do.  Meet and share with a support group of other coaches who have “been there, done that”.

Attend either one of the two training sessions.  Registration is not necessary, but a note sent by email is appreciated (vtootm@accessvt.com).

* October 8, 2016, Mater Christi School, 50 Mansfield Ave., Burlington, 9:00 AM to noon

*  November 5, 2016, Mill River Union High School, 2321 Middle Road, North Clarendon, 9:00 AM to noon

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program that is geared towards stimulating creative (out-of-the-box) thinking and developing team-work skills in young people. By challenging them with interesting, fun, and open-ended problems, they build solutions that meet the criteria, but break the mold of the “normal” everyday answer, while learning valuable life-long skills.

This is our 38th year of offering the Odyssey of the Mind program to Vermont students. Schools, community organizations, and home school groups are encouraged to check us out! We look forward to meeting you and your team at our events this year.

Check out this year’s problems:

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/materials/2017problems.php

You can register your school’s membership right now at:

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/registration/default.php

Returning this year will be a workshop to develop skills in spontaneous problem solving and polishing performances.  Check out our Events Calendar for the date of this event and our other trainings for coaches and judges, as well as the Spontaneous Scrimmages for teams.

Our State Tournament will be held at Champlain Valley Union High School, March 18, 2017.

First place, second place, and Ranatra Fusca winners are eligible to compete at World Finals held at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, May 24 -27, 2017.  We encourage all teams to mark their calendars and make plans now to meet us in Michigan!

Best Wishes for a wonderful, creative year of problem-solving!

Kathy Jacob, Association Director

Congratulations to our Vermont Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament Competitors for an excellent performance demonstrating creative thinking, problem solving, and teamwork.

Tournament results can be found here:

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/competitions/2016/14017_scores_menu.html

The 2016 Vermont Odyssey of the Mind will be held March 19, 2016 at Champlain Valley High School, in Hinesburg, VT.  Competition begins at 8:00 AM and continues throughout the day.  The schedule of teams competing can be found here:

VCQ 2016 VT State Tournament Schedule

For more information on preparing for Tournament Day, see the Tournament Handbook:

VCQ 2016 Tournament Handbook

The Vermont Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament will be held March 19, 2016 at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. To avoid a late fee, register your team by midnight  January 23, 2016. The fees are the same as last year, with a slight change in the payment schedule.  We are giving a payment period of two weeks after the registration deadline, but instituting a late payment fee.  The registration fee is $50 per team if registered by midnight of January 23, 2016 for Div. 1, 2 and 3.  Primary teams are $20.  All teams are required to provide a judge, including Primary teams.  If registering after 1/23/16 the fee is $100.  Payment is due by February 6, 2016.  If paid after that date, a $50 late fee will be assessed.  The Judge Waiver fee is $50 per team.

Judges’ Training is March 5, 2016, Mater Christi School, Burlington

Here are your registration links:

Team Registration:

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/members/team_login.php

Judge Registration:

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/judges/assoc_tournaments.php?assoc=VT&region=State

Give your teams an opportunity to put their spontaneous problem solving skills to the test — registration is now open for a Spontaneous Scrimmage.  This scrimmage is designed to give teams practice and feedback on how to improve their spontaneous problem skills. All team members (not just 5) may participate. Coaches will be able to observe their team members in action solving each of the three types of spontaneous problems – verbal, verbal/hands-on, and hands-on. Registration is limited to the first 12 teams to register for each session. Six teams will participate during the first hour and six more during the second hour.

We are offering two dates and locations:

• January 9, 2016, Mater Christi School, 50 Mansfield Ave., Burlington.                              10:00 – 6 teams;  11:00 – 6 teams.

• January 16, 2016, Mill River Union High School, 2321 Middle Road, North Clarendon.                 1:00 – 6 teams; 2:00 – 6 teams

Registration links:

Northern:  http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/reg/registration_step.php?g=ootm&s=reg&c=14369

Southern:  http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/reg/registration_step.php?g=ootm&s=reg&c=14014

Greetings! The photos from Saturday’s tournament are now available. Just head over to our photos page, or click here.