tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553376401348422420.post7020950877647193967..comments2024-03-25T04:16:14.693-04:00Comments on Promoting Student Engagement: The Power of a Mousetrap VehicleEric Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09795112832539231253noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553376401348422420.post-41892247837459204272011-03-04T13:25:55.099-05:002011-03-04T13:25:55.099-05:00The OMers from my school took on the "Good as...The OMers from my school took on the "Good as Gold...berg" problem this year. A simple item used to perform an everyday task had to be replaced by a complex "machine" containing many extra steps(much like the complex system used in the game of Mousetrap). <br /><br />The students developed their solution around the simple task of pushing in a chair. The week of competition, they realized they had misread the problem originally and did not have an actual item to replace (it had to be commercially manufactured and people usually push in chairs with their hands--not going to work!). This was a major problem since their WHOLE solution revolved around pushing in a chair--everything from their actual machine to the plotline and clever puns in their skit. However, they quickly got to work figuring out how they could make their solution work within the requirements while still keeping all the components they had worked so hard on over the past few months. The result was amazing! As far as I know, the judges didn't question their choice of item at all. They made it seem like it was all part of the plan from the beginning. <br /><br />I was so proud, not only of their final product, but also for how they worked together through this whole process. The team is not allowed to have any outside assistance, even from the coach, so I could only watch and listen as they hammered out the details. I know they learned a great deal from their experiences on the team this year. It seems like a lot to go through for 8 minutes, but in the end it's not really about those 8 minutes but the journey to get there!<br /><br />Rachel McBride<br />Coach, THS OotMjon.e.mcbridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05403620771323737684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553376401348422420.post-85990569260511612032011-03-04T09:19:36.402-05:002011-03-04T09:19:36.402-05:00The Odyssey of the Mind team members at my school ...The Odyssey of the Mind team members at my school have learned valuable skills that they will carry with them the rest of their lives. Aside from the exceptional amount of technical knowledge they have gained, the team has learned what it means to be a functional member of group working towards a common goal. More importantly, they have learned how to stay clam under stress, think on their feet, and solve problems without delay.<br /><br />My team participated in the Mouse Mobiles problem. They created six different vehicles, which each completed a different task. During competition the first vehicle broke and would not complete the task. The team members tried to fix this car for several minutes even though they only had a total of 8 minutes of competition time. Wisely, they set the first car aside and completed the next five tasks. After doing so they returned to the first vehicle in an attempt to complete that task. The team repeatedly made adjustments to the car and tried to complete the task. During this time the team members worked together, stayed exceptionally calm, and were focused on nothing but the task at hand. At 7 minutes and 37 seconds the vehicle worked and the team successfully completed their competition with a smile.<br /><br />Their 1st place finish on competition day was a result of 6 months of hard work. Many times throughout the year the team and I thought the problem was too difficult to complete. Thankfully the team never gave up. The idea of never giving up will stick with those 7 children for a lifetime. <br /><br />R. Winfree<br />Odyssey of the Mind CoachCoachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13258019089985543471noreply@blogger.com