Easy Odyssey Spontanous Hands on Practice Problems

In competition, every team solves a spontaneous problem. This part of the competition is called "Spontaneous" because teams don't know what they'll have to do until they enter the competition room; spontaneous problems are kept "top secret." Solving spontaneous problems teaches students to think on their feet and to creatively solve problems as they arise.

Spontaneous Types

The nature of the spontaneous problems varies, with each having its own set of specific rules that are read to the team in the competition room. Teams will have to solve only one type of spontaneous problem in a competition. Teams that compete in a technical long-term problem may have to solve a verbal spontaneous problem and vice versa.

To prepare, teams should practice for the three common types of spontaneous problems as listed below. However, they should also be prepared for the unexpected.

• Verbal spontaneous problems require verbal responses. They may incorporate improvisation or dramatization. Teams are scored for common and creative responses.
• Hands-­on spontaneous problems require teams to physically create a tangible solution. Each hands­-on problem has its own specific scoring categories.
• Verbal/hands-­on combination spontaneous problems require teams to create a tangible solution and include some type of verbal component, for example, creating a story about the solution. Teams are scored for both the tangible solution and the verbal presentation.

All seven team members are allowed to participate in the spontaneous portion of the competition. Every team should practice verbal skills as well as hands-on.

Spontaneous Examples

A. When the team members enter the room, tell them, "Thi s is a verbal problem that requires some writing."

B. JUDGE READS TO TEAMS: (Do not read material in parentheses.)

(1) This is a two-part problem. After you complete Part I, t he judge will read Part II.
(2) In Part I, you will have 3 minutes to discuss th e problem and create your solution. You are allowed to ask the judges questions; however, time w ill continue. You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seconds remain.
(3) You will divide into two groups. One group will make a list of five things that are fun; the other will make a list of five things that are NOT fun. For example something fun might be "riding roller coasters" and something that is not fun mig ht be "homework."
(4) Each group will write its list of five items on a piece of paper (point to paper) . When Part I ends, you will place your lists on the table. You will be scored 1-10 points for the creativity of the items you put on each list. In

Part II: (Do not read to team until it completes Part I)
(5) You will have 4 minutes to give responses . Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins it will not be stopped. You should not repeat a response that ha s already been given, and you are not allowed to skip your turn. If one member of the team is stuck, the team is stuck.
(6) You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.
(7) Each of you has seven cards. You will take turns in order. After you give a resp onse, you will place one of your cards in the container.
(8) Your problem in Part II is to give a response that includes one item from each list. For example, you might say, "I can't turn in my homework , it fell out of my pocket when I was riding on roller coasters."
(9) Part II will be over when time ends or when you have used a ll of your cards.
(Repeat items in boldface. Begin by saying, "I repeat.")

C. FOR JUDGES ONLY:

1. Place two sets of paper and pens on the table for the tea m to use to write the lists.
2. Give each team member a set of seven unnumbered c ards. Each set should be different from the others, such as different colors, marked with different shap es, etc. Make sure team members surrender a card after each turn.
3. Place the container within reach of all team memb ers. Make sure it is large enough to hold all 35 car ds and that it has an opening large enough to accept the car ds.
4. Be sure to give exactly 3 minutes for Part I. Warn the team when 1 minute and again when 30 seconds remain. Give the team exactly 4 minutes in Part II. Students responding as time ends can finish and be scored.
5. Score 1 point for each common response and 5 points for ea ch creative response.
6. Examples of Common Responses:

• –  Statements that don't make sense and/or are sentenc e fragments that don't include a majority of the words on the list.
• –  Statements that have little or no association betwe en the two words. Basic/expected statements that simply use the two words without adding much descripti on.

7. Examples of Creative Responses:

• –  Original or humorous statements. The use of homonyms, double e ntendre, plays on words, etc.
• –  Unexpected or humorous connections/associations between the words.
• –  Interesting descriptions that add more than just a basic s tatement.

8. When judging creativity of the lists, consider the detail involved in the items, were they commo n or something humorous or unusual? Were there descripti ve words? Were they similar or each one different? For example, if the list was simply parties, ice c ream, movies, etc. it would be common. A creative list would be a party for no reason, ice cream for din ner, and movies about me.

A. When the team members enter the room, tell them, "This is a verbal/han ds-on problem."

B. JUDGE READS TO TEAMS: (Do not read material in parentheses.)
(1) This is a two-part problem. After you complete Part I, the judge will read Part II. In Part I, you will have 5 minutes to discuss the problem and work. You are allow ed to ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seco nds remain.
(2) There are five stations, each with different materials ( point to stations ).
(3) Your problem is to use materials to make six creations. You are a llowed to work as you wish.
(4) When Part I ends you will place the six creations on this tabl e (point) .
(5) You will be scored for the creative use of materials (1-10 poin ts) and teamwork (1-10 points).
(After reading Part I aloud, repeat items in boldface. After reading boldface items say "Begin Part I now." After the team members place their creations in the center of the table, read Part I I.)
(6) Part II: You have 1 minute to think and 4 minutes to give responses. You are not allowed to talk to one another.
(7) Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins, it will not be s topped, even if the judge hasn't heard your response and asks you to say it again.
(8) You should not repeat a response that has already been given , and you cannot skip your turn. If one member of the team is stuck, the team is stuck.
(9) Each of you has ten cards. You will take turns in order and must use two cards each ti me. When it is your turn you will place cards in front of the two creations you are respondi ng to.
(10) Your problem is to pick any two of the creations and say something that they have in common or something that is different about them. For example you could say, "They look like they are made of tr ash"; or "This one is taller than that one."
(11) You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points f or each creative response.
(12) You will be finished when time ends or when you have used al l of your cards.
(Repeat items in boldface. Begin by saying, "I repeat.")

C. FOR JUDGES ONLY:
1. Make five "stations" out of desks or small tables marked with a number from 1 through 5. Place them next to one another, a few feet apart. Place the following items on each station as noted :
Station 1: 1 24-inch sheet aluminum foil, 3 plastic straws, 1 plastic cup, 4 rubber bands, 4 adhesive mailing labels, black marker. Station 2: 2 8½" x 11" sheets colored paper, 3 paper clips, 5 cotton balls, 4 adhesive mailing labels. Station 3: 2 unsharpened pencils, 1 paper plate, 4 adhesive mailing labels, 3 binder clips, red marker. Station 4: 2 paper plates, 4 adhesive mailing labels, 6 paper clips, 4 pieces of string, 12 ". Station 5: 1 24-inch sheet aluminum foil, 3 cotton balls, 6 pieces of string, 12", 4 adhesi ve mailing labels, blue marker
3. When Part II begins, give each team member a set of ten cards ( for five responses). Each set should be different from the others, such as different colors, marked with different shapes, etc.
4. Be sure to give exactly 5 minutes for Part I. Warn the team wh en 1 minute and again when 30 seconds remain. Give the team exactly 1 minute to think and 4 minutes to resp ond in Part II. Team members responding as time ends can finish and be scored.
5. When judging overall creative use of materials consider originality, multiple applications, and trial and erro r. Were the items changed completely? Did the items combine to form something unusual? For how well the team works together , consider how team members share problem solving duties, how well they share materials, consult with one another, create a theme, etc.
6. In Part II, score 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.
7. Examples of Common Responses: basic descriptive statements about the creations; statements that d o not make sense; statements that are similar to a previous one; little t o no connecting or separating the creations in the response.
8. Examples of Creative Responses: statements that show a team member is imaginative; statements that make sense and build on a previous statement; humorous statements; puns; unusual responses, humorous or interesting connections between items/separation between items.

A. When the team members enter the room, tell them, "This is a hands- on problem."

B. JUDGE READS TO TEAMS: (Do not read material in parentheses.)
(1) This is a two-part problem. In Part I, you will have 5 minutes to discuss the problem and create your solution. The judge will warn you when 2 minutes and when 1 minute remains. You are allowed to ask questions and talk to each other at any time. In Part II, you w ill have 1 minute to test your solution. The judge will warn you when 30 seconds and when 10 seconds remain.
(2) There are two books and materials on the table to use to cr eate your solution ( point to books and materials ). Nothing else can be used and you cannot change the taped area.
(3) There are coins that you will use to test your solution in Part II ( point to coins ).
(4) Your problem is to use the materials to build a bri dge that connects the books and supports as many coins as possible.
(5) You are allowed to place the books anywhere on the table, but they must remain outside of the boundary lines (point to boundary lines).
(6) In Part I, you will create your bridge. The materials can touch only the tops of the books and each other. You can practice placing the coins onto your bridge, but when Part I end s, you must remove them.
(7) In Part II, you will place the coins onto your bridge for s core. They can rest only on the section between the two books (demonstrate with two books and point to area between) . The coins are not allowed to be stacked on top of each other. Any coin that is over the red zone (point to red taped square) will receive double points. You may adjust your bridge as needed, but time will continue.
(8) You will be finished when Part II ends, when all of the coins are placed on the bridge, if the bridge touches the table or becomes separated from a book, or when yo u ask to be scored. Once you are finished, you are not allowed to touch your solution.
(9) You will be scored as follows:

• a. You will receive 2 points for each inch of your bridge between the b ooks.
• b. You will receive 3 points for each coin that is supported by the bri dge.
• c. You will receive 6 points for any coin supported by the bridge t hat is over the red zone.
• d. You will receive 1 to 10 points for the creativity of your solut ion.
• e. You will receive 1 to 15 points for how well your team works toget her.

(Repeat items in boldface. Begin by saying, "I repeat.")

C. FOR JUDGES ONLY:
1. Use one 5' table with the center marked with a red 6" x 6" sq uare as the red zone. Around that, tape a white 12" x 12" square that will serve as the boundary line. Place two books (about 8" wide) of the same size and thickness on the table. Place 15 of the same type of coins on one table.
2. Before the team enters the room, place the following materials on the t able:
1" cube of clay, 1 paper plate, 1 rubber band, 8 drinking straws, 1 Styrofoam cup 6-8 oz., 2 mailing labels, 1 paper clip, 1 plastic spoon, 1 index card, 5 coffee stirrers, 10 toothpicks.
3. Be sure to give exactly 5 minutes in Part I. Remember to warn the team when 2 minutes and again when 1 minute remains. Give exactly 1 minute in Part II. Warn the team when 30 seconds and again when 10 seconds remain.
4. If the bridge breaks during testing or becomes disconnected from a book, the team will receive score for the coins that were supported up to that point. Take note of each coin as the team places it on the structure. Teams will receive either 3 points or 6 points for the coins, not both.
5. When judging creativity of the solution , assess the team's strategy, especially how they use the materials and how they place the coins onto the structure. Was there risk-taking invol ved? When scoring how well the team works together , consider the extent that all team members are involved in coming up with the ideas, working on the bridge, placing the items, etc.

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Source: https://www.odysseyofthemind.com/spontaneous/