Extra, Extra, read all about it!

A bonus for you this month with late breaking news about a change in the dates for World Finals and alerting you to problems with the official clarification system. In addition, more regions have now finalized dates and locations for their regional tournaments. Finally, news also about a new NY State Problem Captain this year for Problem 1.

World Finals Date Change

Because of a very large event happening in Ames over Memorial Day weekend, Odyssey of the Mind has decided to move the dates for the 2024 World Finals. Instead of the usual Thursday to Saturday schedule, this year the competition will start on TUESDAY May 21st with opening ceremonies. Teams will compete from Wednesday to Friday, with the closing ceremony, awards and the usual parties on Friday 24th in the evening.

Clarification System not accepting new clarifications.

Due to a technical problem, online submissions are not working. Teams should hold off submitting team-specific clarifications until a fix is made.

More Regional Tournaments scheduled.

Currently we have the following Regional Tournaments scheduled.

2/17/24

Region 13 DCMO BOCES Harrold Campus

3/2/24

Region 5 Orange Ulster BOCES

Region 7 Shenendehowa HSE

Region 8/9 Case Middle School

3/9/24

Region 6 Glens Falls High School

Region 12 Broome-Tioga BOCES

Region 15 Mt. Morris Middle School

Region 21 Broadalbin Perth Jr/Sr High School

3/16/24

Region 1/2 Caroline G. Atkinson School

3/23/24

Region 4 Coxsackie-Athens CSD

Region 11 Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

Region 19 Salamanca Central School

Check out the Regional Tournaments page for more tournaments, as they are scheduled.

Change of State Problem Captain for Problem 1

After many years of service to New York Odyssey of the Mind, Wayne Otte has stepped down as State Problem Captain for Problem 1. He will be replaced, this year, by Bill Everett, his trusty right-hand man. Wayne will continue to judge in NY, serve as IPC for Problem 1 for Odysssey of the Mind. We owe Wayne a great deal of thanks for his calm and authoritative leadership, helping teams create and operate vehicles both large and small and guiding them to success at the State and World Finals tournaments. If you see him this year, no doubt wearing his signature Pluto the dog hat, give him your thanks and wish him well!

Bill Everett will be a worthy successor with decades of experience as a Judge, Head Judge and APC at Regional, State and at World Finals. New York is very lucky to have such experience and expertise in Problem 1.

September News

It's the start of a new Odyssey year in New York!

Time to get your Odyssey of the Mind membership - check out the instructions here.

State Street Elementary / Middle School were the first in New York to sign up for a 2023/2024 membership, congratulations to them!

Welcome from Sammy Micklus

Problem Synopses

Here is a flyer you can use to get people excited about this year's long-term problems. But remember, in order to solve the problems you will need to get a OM membership and download the full text of the long-term problem you have chosen.

2024-SYNOPSIS-2

.pdf

Download PDF • 2.40MB

So what is a long term problem?

Within each full problem you’ll find the following:

“Introduction” and “The Problem” sections explain the spirit and intent of the problem in a narrative, descriptive way

“Limitations” provides a detailed list of the elements that are required to be included in your team solution and if there are any constraints or limits

“Site, Setup, and Competition” and “Tournament Director Will Provide” explain to teams what type of performance space and equipment will be assured and provided, if your team goes to competition

“Scoring” is a clear breakdown of where exactly teams can earn points in competition and whether these are objective (ex: 0 or 5 points if a task was not completed or was, respectively) or subjective (ex: a range of 1 to 10 points for creative use of a material)

“Style” explains the points that can be earned through the team’s creative and artistic choices in elaborating upon their solution

“Team Must Provide” let’s the team know what documents they’ll need to provide to our judging teams and what equipment they should provide for themselves, if needed

“Problem Glossary” defines any terms that have specific meaning within the context of this problem. These are included to eliminate ambiguity and keep all teams on the same page.

If teams take the time to read and understand each section of their chosen problem, they’ll be brainstorming and building their way to a successful competition season!

Wow what a response!

A record number of pin design submissions were received for this season's NY Odyssey pins in response to our flyer.

The Pin Committee will be meeting this week to look at all of the ideas and turn your sketches and suggestions into hot traders for next year's World Finals at Iowa State University.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the chosen designs.

Regional Tournaments are continuing to be scheduled.

Dates we know so far are:

Feb 17: Region 13

Mar 2: Region 5

Mar 9: Regions 6 & 12

Mar 16: Region 1/2

Mar 23: Region 11

Check out the Regional Tournament page for all the details.

The 2023/2024 Program Guide has been released.

The Program Guide is the foundation upon which Odyssey of the Mind has been built. The Program Guide is a reference document containing information and guidance that teams will need throughout the year.

It’s strongly recommended that coaches of new teams review the entire document and that returning teams refresh their familiarity with Chapters 3-6 at the start of each new program year.

Chapter 1 - Program overview, Advice for coaches, Getting Started, Training your team

Chapter 2 - About your membership

Chapter 3 - Long-Term Problems, Spontaneous Problems

Chapter 4 - Going to Competition, Awards

Chapter 5 - Program Rules that apply to all Problems, Penalty categories

Chapter 6 - Glossary

Most of your team’s (non problem-specific) questions will be answered here so keep checking that Program Guide! Don’t see a question or you’re wondering if your solution falls within the rules and limitations? Then it’s time for a Clarification!

You can find the Program Guide in the Forms and Files section of the NY Odyssey website or download here in PDF format.

program-guide-2024

.pdf

Download PDF • 891KB

A Call for New Items!

If anyone has news (especially with photos or videos) they would like to share with our New York Odyssey members, please send an email to support@nyodyssey.zohodesk.com.

Last call for Pin Designs!

NYSOMA is looking for creative ideas for next years pins.

You don't need to be an artist, any old sketch will do and our graphic designer will turn your idea into finished artwork.

We would like ideas for pin sets; problem pin sets or other pins that go together and will be hot traders at World Finals. Single pin ideas are also welcomed!