The Role Of the Coach in Odyssey of the Mind
The primary role of an OotM coach is to facilitate a team's problem solution without actually
doing the work. The team makes all the decisions that contribute to their solution. While a
coach cannot help the team solve the problem, the coach is an integral member of the team.
- Schedule meetings for the team. Teams usually meet for 1-2 hours once a week beginning in the fall.
As the regional competition deadline approaches, teams may choose to meet for longer periods
of time or additional days per week to make certain they are adequately prepared. Ultimately, the
amount of meeting time depends on the team's goals and the degree of difficulty of the long-term problem.
If your team plans to meet in any district school, the coach must contact [email protected] to
reserve space. How to Reserve Meeting Space for NP OM Team
- Organize meetings. Coaches should help the team use time effectively by creating a
simple agenda for each meeting.
Example of a simple meeting agenda:
- Practice spontaneous
- Brain storm ideas for the long-term
- Make a list of things to do
- Make list of needed materials
- Plan a shopping trip
- Provide opportunities to practice spontaneous problem solving. Coaches can find
spontaneous problems on the internet by googling "spontaneous problems". OM HQ sells
a Spontaneous Problem Solving book on their website: OM HQ Spontaneous Book
Ideally, the team practices 1 verbal and 1 hands-on problem at every meeting. Coaches can
instruct the team on how to improve at spontaneous. Coaches can support one another by
sharing spontaneous problems and problem-solving strategies.
- Provide guidance on reading through the long term problem. An important
role of the coach is to read--and reread, and reread and reread-- the problem with the
team out loud, explain unfamiliar words or concepts, and help the team understand the
requirements of the problem. The coach should direct the team back to the long term
problem anytime there is a question or whenever the team completes a part of the
long-term problem. To facilitate this, a coach might repeatedly ask, "Have you
fulfilled the requirements of the problem?"
- Establish team procedures and culture. How will the team make decisions?
What are the rules for respecting meeting space and each other? How can the the team
guard against outside assistance? Once rules are established, the coach can "record"
them on a sheet of paper or poster board for future reference. Coaches can also
impose rules that will establish expectations regarding behavior and commitment.
- Communicate with parents. The coach should communicate expectations to parents
about behavior and commitment, parental involvement and avoidance of Outside
Assistance.
- Recruit judges to judge at the regional competition and at Spontaneous Fun Night.
Volunteers for judging should come from team parents. Other adults can also volunteer
but parents should realize the importance of supporting their team in this way.
- Register the team for regional competition.
Coaches will be contacted by Southeast PA OM via email when registration is open.
- Help the team get materials. The team can provide the coach with a list and the coach
can pick up items. If the team doesn't know exactly what it needs, the coach can take
team members on shopping trips to generate ideas. It's best when shopping is done
beforehand so meeting time can be used most efficiently. The coach can also enlist
parent volunteers to help with shopping as long the parents can be trusted not to make
suggestions or decisions about what to purchase. That would be outside assistance.
- Provide instruction on the problem-solving process. While there is no outside
assistance permitted in OotM, which means that coaches can NEVER offer a solution to
a problem, the coach can and should teach team members about the problem-solving
process. The coach conducts brainstorming sessions, facilitates the team decision-
making process, and asks questions to help team members think about the requirements
of the problem. Steps to Help Foster the Creative Problem Solving Process
- Ensure the physical and emotional safety of all team members. The OotM
coach needs to provide constant supervision to ensure that team members are using
materials and tools safely as well as ease the inevitable tensions that result from working
together on a team and solving difficult problems. Coaches can ask team parents to
assist with supervision when necessary. NPSD requires each coach to follow district
safety procedures to help keep students safe, as stated in the parent permission form.
- Collaborate with other coaches. It is recommended that coaches contact one
another to share best practices and to ask for assistance. Contact the OotM building
coordinator for a list of coaches at their school.
- Stay informed.
Visit the NPSD OotM website for important announcements and information.
Visit the Pennsylvania state site www.paodyssey.com and the Southeast PA
(SEPOM) regional site www.paodyssey.com/southeast/home.htm
Read the Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide.
This document provides information about all aspects of the OotM program.
The program guide is an important reference document for coaches.
Ask Questions. Contact the District Coordinator by email @ [email protected]
- Attend Coaches' Training. NP OM holds a Coaches' Training in November, announced
to coaches via email. Southeast PA Odyssey of the Mind also provides coaches' training
for new and returning coaches; for details, visit the SEPOM website.
Tips for Odyssey of the Mind Coaches