Buccaneer Bay had one OMER’s Award and it went to Tarra Love from Knights Elementary School, The Lost Labor of Heracles Division 1. The nomination was made by the style judges.

“Tarra Love’s performance as the ‘Barbie’ character was exceptional. Barbie brought the entire audience into the ‘Greek Idol’ experience. Her non-verbal body language remained true to character and made it believable. She acted superbly and her enthusiasm showed through. Tarra WAS Barbie. Great Job!”

Congratulations Tara!!!

From tbo.com & The Tampa Tribune:

Program Builds Kids Mental Muscles, Character

By Kris DiGiovanni

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

Updated: 05/22/2008 01:11 am

I’d like to tell you about some ordinary kids who do extraordinary things. Yours might even be one of them.

Every year about this time you can see thousands of them demonstrating their incredible abilities at regional Odyssey of the Mind competitions around the Bay area.

This year, hundreds of groups of up to seven kids in elementary, middle and high schools are solving one of five problems in their own unique and highly creative ways. Some are demonstrating their theory of how dinosaurs became extinct. Others are designing and building a vehicle that performs specific tasks. Still others are creating structures made of balsa wood that balance heavy weights on golf balls.

Many teams have been working since September, or even earlier on their particular problems. By now they have developed and honed their ideas into original props, costumes, structures and storylines. They have used their innate creativity and imagination to produce wonders of construction, drama and innovation. And the neatest thing about their finished products is that they have done every bit of it by themselves.

As a past coach and current co-coach of the Odyssey teams, I can tell you that the rules are very strict about helping the kids. The ideas and the work all have to be the kids’ own. Other than demonstrating a technique, such as how to use a sewing machine or a saw, coaches’ input is pretty much limited to asking two questions, “Are you done yet?” and “Is that the best you can do?”

But the amazing part is that the kids come through. They arrive at solutions adults would never have thought of. They build things in ways adults would never have imagined. They have ideas adults never would have considered. The process is a joy to watch. They are disorganized, goofy and often don’t manage their time wisely. But just when you (the coach) have despaired that they will ever get it together, they do.

On the day of the competition, they are spectacular. Even if their set falls down or their vehicle blows up, they emerge as champions. And in those moments, you love each and every one of them as if they were your own. Better yet, they come away with a sense of enjoyment, teamwork and accomplishment that is unmatched by any academic project they will ever do.

Many people think Odyssey is just for the really smart kids, but every kid is a “really smart kid” in one way or another.

If your son is flunking English but takes apart the toaster to see how it works, he is Odyssey material. If your daughter can’t figure out the multiplication tables to save her life, but makes all her dolls’ clothing, she is perfect for Odyssey, too. In fact, just about any kid who is curious, has a sense of humor and likes to show off a bit is right for the program.

You can learn more about Odyssey of the Mind by visitingwww.odysseyofthemind.com. Next fall, I hope you’ll think about attending the Odyssey of the Mind information night at your child’s school, or respond to the notice in the school newsletter or flyer.

If you’ve every believed your child was truly special, this program will give you the chance to see how absolutely right you are.

Kris DiGiovanni is a teacher in Tampa.

Problem 1: Nature Trail’R
Divisions I, II, III , & IV
This problem requires teams to design, build and drive a human-powered vehicle and camper that will go on a camping trip. When the vehicle arrives at the Campground, the camper will be disconnected and the vehicle will travel on a team-created Nature Trail. On the Nature Trail, the vehicle will overcome an obstacle, clean up the environment, encounter wildlife, and undergo a repair. The performance will include a character that is in or near the camper that explains the experience as part of its role. Sponsored by NASA.
Cost limit: $145 USD.
Sponsored by NASA.

Problem 2: Return to The Gift of Flight
Divisions I, II, & III
Teams will make and operate a series of aircraft that will complete a variety of flight plans. The flight plans include flying straight, making a target spin, traveling slowly, dropping something into a target, touching down and taking off, and a mass launch of multiple aircraft. The aircraft in the solution will be made of a variety of materials and will have a variety of power sources. The testing of the aircraft will be presented in a team-created performance that will include a character that serves as a creative “air traffic controller.”
Cost limit: $145 USD.

Problem 3: Discovered Treasures
Divisions I, II, III & IV
Teams will create and present an original performance that includes the portrayal of the discovery of two archaeological treasures. One portrayal will be a team-created version of the discovery of an actual historical treasure. The other portrayal will be the team’s depiction of a modern sculpture or structure that exists today but is discovered in the future. The performance will include an artistic representation of the two discovered treasures and characters that are part of the discovery teams.
Cost limit: $125 USD.

Problem 4: Column Structure
Divisions I, II, III & IV
The problem is to design and build balsa wood columns that will function together to balance and support as much weight as possible. The columns must not be connected to each other in any way. The team will test its Column Structure by placing weights onto it. The team will add weight until its Column Structure breaks or time ends. Bonus score will be awarded for the number of columns used. The team will incorporate the testing of its columns in an original team-created performance.
Cost limit: $145 USD.

Problem 5: Food Court
Divisions I, II, III & IV
The problem is to create and present a humorous performance where a food item is accused of being unhealthy and must defend itself among its food peers. All characters are food items and will include “the accused,” “the accuser,” a jury that is not portrayed by team members, and additional team-created characters. The jury will reveal its decision to the audience.
Cost limit: $125 USD.

Primary: Surprise Party
Grades K-2
The team is to create and present a humorous performance that includes a Surprise Party for a team-created character. The theme of the party is a surprise because it is being given for something that is not normally celebrated. Partygoers will give three gifts that help symbolize the theme of the party. The performance will also include an original party “noisemaker” that makes an unusual sound instead of a loud sound.
Cost limit: $125 USD.

2010 Long Term Problem Synopsis

• http://ecom.home.mchsi.com/
• http://www.gcodyssey.com/
• http://www.magiccenterregion.com/
• http://www.manateeregion.net/
• http://www.spacecoastodyssey.org/
• http://www.peedeekay.com/sunmain.htm
• http://www.tropicalodyssey.org/

• http://www.odyssey-world.org/

• Creative Aerobics
• Thinking Outside of the Box
• http://www.engin.umich.edu/%7Eproblemsolving/