TRACK B:

Teams will sign-up independently from coaches for this event, with a different chaperone if needed.

Teams practice several spontaneous problems without scoring. It is recommended that teams have already learnt basic concepts of spontaneous problems as this is a fast-paced workshop.

Sign-up deadline for competitive teams is Oct 24, 2024.

Team Workshop Sessions: 90 minutes each at 10 am or 12 pm. You specify time preference during sign-up

Nominal fee: $21 per team.

TRACK A:

This free event is primarily geared for coaches to learn strategies and practice with multiple teams. It is strongly recommended for beginner coaches, co-coaches or other parents. The format will be a training session and discussion first. Then participants will be broken into small groups and assigned a problem. You will be “judging” multiple teams who are rotating between problems. The value you take home is that you observe how it happens at tournament; you have the opportunity to watch teams other than your own. Coaches must come alone. If your team participates, they must be escorted by a separate chaperone .

Coaches sign-up here.

All Annual Memberships must be renewed/purchased by 11/1/24 for Texas. A Membership in good standing has access to all online materials for their teams (including current year problems, program guide, team registration, etc.).

Note: Memberships are renewed and paid at the National Organization (CCI), whereas the tournament fees are paid at the local Texas Association. Please do not issue/send payment to the wrong location.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct 12th, 2024 from 4 pm to 6 pm.

WHERE: online via instructor-led webinar. Computer or tablet recommended.

First year, second year and experienced coaches are welcome. Sign-up here.

This is a condensed version of Coach Training. We will send links of separate videos that you must watch on your own to complete your training.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 1st from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

WHERE: This session is now canceled. Signup below to receive a link to the recording.

Odyssey of the Mind Orientation session for New Parents and Teachers. We explain what Odyssey of the Mind is and how teams are formed. Live webinar. Sign-up here for access details and handouts.

If you plan to volunteer your time coaching an Odyssey of the Mind team this year, you don’t want to miss this training! First Year, Second Year and Seasoned Coaches are all welcome.

11AM Bring your Lunch

We will provide drinks and dessert!

September 28, 2024

The Clariden School

100 Clariden Ranch Road Southlake, TX 76092

For more information, please contact Sandy Sook northtxodyssey@gmail.com

WHEN: Saturday, Sept 28th all morning.

WHERE: Presbyterian School, 40 Oakdale St, Houston, TX 77006 (Museum District)

First year, second year and experienced coaches are welcome. Sign-up here. (Session is 80% full as of 9/21/24)

Members of the Odyssey of the Mind Community are invited to our first Association meeting of the year. We discuss preparations for the new season, changes to be expected, tournament plans. Coaches, Parents, Judges, Alumni are all welcome who would like to hear about or get involved in the administration of our program.

For more information or to receive an early link to the meeting, please email directors@txodyssey.org.

Agenda and other documents will be posted here soon for review prior to the meeting.

WHEN: Saturday, September 21st from 4 pm to 5 pm

WHERE: Online

Odyssey of the Mind Orientation session for New Parents and Teachers. We explain what Odyssey of the Mind is and how teams are formed. Live webinar. Sign-up here for access details and handouts.

WHEN: Thursday, September 12th from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

WHERE: Online

Odyssey of the Mind Orientation session for New Parents and Teachers. We explain what Odyssey of the Mind is and how teams are formed. Live webinar. Sign-up here for access details and handouts.

This video conference session serves as a Q&A for teams advancing to World Finals at ISU in Ames, IA. It will be hosted by Lilian Wannall and Suzanne Rieter, from our World Finals Committee.

https://join.freeconferencecall.com/TXOM

We recommend you connect from a computer/laptop or tablet to view the presentation. If you are in a team/family party, consider adding an external speaker.

Dial-in Number: (712) 770-5505, Access Code: 326-805

Before the Q&A session, we invite coaches and team parents to read the information published on our website regarding preparations and costs.

The Odyssey of the Mind - Texas Association invites the general OM public to attend our next Assocation meeting on Sunday, March 24th, 2024 from 10 am to noon. Doors open at 9:45 am.

Location: TWU, Arts and Sciences, Second floor, Room 207

Topics include:

• Review of the State competition

• Preparations for the World Finals competition at Iowa State University

• Vote for three open Board positions (Association Director, Jr., Treasurer and Secretary).

• Detailed agenda will be published on the website one week before.
  

The Awards Ceremony is an exciting event that culminates in the recognition of all participating teams and coaches. The top TWO ranking teams in each problem and division will be recognized and advance to the World Finals 3-day competition in Ames, IA.

WHERE: Southwest Ballroom, Student Union, 2nd Floor

WHEN: Saturday, March 23rd at 6 pm

The ceremony is will be followed by a short briefing on World Finals for teams and families.

The Team Mixer is a free open social event for all local and traveling teams to mingle and have fun before the State competition. Pizza, drinks, face painting, dancing and games.

WHERE: Student Union grounds, outdoors.

WHEN: Friday 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Free for team members and up to two coaches. Guests are welcome to join (a nominal $10 fee applies for additional food tickets). No rsvp necessary.

Register for escorted venue tours at check-in. Times: 6:30 pm, 7 pm, 7:30 pm.

In case of rain, the Mixer will take place indoors, in the CFO-Classroom Faculty Office Building- 2nd Floor – behind the Arts & Sciences Building)

Join us for a conference call with a full walk-through of procedures and what to expect this year at competition. No rsvp needed, we recommend both new and returning coaches to attend as every competition site is different.

If you plan to join by phone only, please download and print the latest version of the “TIP” one hour before.

Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/TXOM

This is a free practice run for P4 (balsa problem) teams who have never been to tournament before or for experienced teams who wish to test weight held for one or more of their structures. Some or all members of a team can participate.

You will not practice any performance part or weigh-in - only the weight placement until crushing (sections B13-B14 of the long term problem).. Teams can bring multiple structures to test-crush. Teams will participate as they arrive within their specified one-hour slot. Partial teams can attend; team members must follow same rules as defined in problem for weight placement and adult assist. Closed toed shoes are required. Eye protection will be provided.

Note: Even if you do not have a structure ready for crushing, first time teams are welcome to sign-up for a quick show of the experience.

Updated to start at 2 pm. We will open more timeslots to accommodate all teams as needed, after each hour fills.

This is the last day to submit your pre-orders for team t-shirts to be delivered at the regional tournament. Gather your team sizes and submit one order per team. Individual orders are not supported as our Store team do not have the manpower to process them. An email will be sent to all coaches when pre-orders open on Jan 1st. You have until January 25th at 8 pm to submit your shirt pre-order for regional tournaments.

Use the link that matches your region in order to ensure they are delivered at the correct tournament:

• For Houston (HARO) tournament: https://squareup.com/store/TXHARO

• For North Region tournament: https://squareup.com/store/TXNORTH

• For Central Region tournament: https://squareup.com/store/TXCENTRAL

If you have more questions, feel free to sign-up and join our online Q&A sessions on Dec 9 or Dec 18. We recommend this if you have questions, and especially if you have missed full coach training and are doing self-paced training with our videos and slideshow PDF files.

Sign-up here for Q&A session.

Walk-ins welcome at https://join.freeconferencecall.com/txom. Please include your email and full name when you connect.

If you have more questions, feel free to sign-up and join our online Q&A sessions on Dec 9 or Dec 18. We recommend this if you have questions, and especially if you have missed full coach training and are doing self-paced training with our videos and slideshow PDF files.

Sign-up here for Q&A session.

Walk-ins welcome at https://join.freeconferencecall.com/txom. Please include your email and full name when you connect.

Hilton Coliseum - Support fellow participants at a special graduation ceremony held for those missing their graduations to be at World Finals. Dr. Sam, OMER, and this year’s Spirit Award winner will attend.

Afterwards, stick around for the Coaches Competition. Cheer on coaches as they solve a problem written especially for them. The competition is their chance to show off all the creative ideas they’ve kept to themselves during the year, so it’s sure to be fun!

Lied Recreation Center - Test your creativity and skill at the Odyssey of the Mind Association booths that offer various creative challenges. Arm & Hammer will also be back with a fun and interactive booth. NASA will have a digital presence. Also, visit the CCI pin exhibit for some Odyssey history, see the Ranatra Fusca trophy, and much more.

Great opportunity to get your team photo.

The Texas booth will for making officials thank you cards, as seen at our HARO and State tournaments.

The Float & Banner Parade will take place at the Hilton Coliseum on the ISU campus. This is a free seating event.

Texas entry represents “OMER rises again”.

Dress code for all attendants: The Region shirt (green Wise OMER). Family members are strongly encouraged to wear the same (or similar color) in support!

Parade participants are REQUIRED to wear their Region t-shirt.

Hilton Coliseum - Tickets for team and anyone staying on-campus will be included with your packet at team registration. Spectators who are staying off-campus must pick up their free tickets in person that morning.

Clear backpacks/bags only are allowed. Dress code: Everyone should wear the State yellow IDEA shirt with their bag creation (or similar please for families).

Parade Attendees are REQUIRED to wear that yellow State shirt, no exceptions.

Public video conference for new coaches/parents advancing to World Finals:

For those who were not able to attend the Awards ceremony or have subsequent questions, we will offer two more in-depth Q&A sessions. Choose either session, no rsvp needed.
Sunday, April 10th at 6 pm, or Wednesday, April 13th at 8 pm.

Access Details:

1) Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/TXOM
2) Click on the BLUE button to "join" the online meeting.
3) If you have the Desktop app, it will open in the app otherwise, you may select the Web version
4) Enter your name and email then click on the BLUE button.
5) You are in the Meeting Lobby. Then Click on the WHITE link to join "via computer audio" (recommended)
OR Dial-in yourself for audio: (267) 807-9605 Access code: 326805#