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.

TX State Competitionwill be hosted at Texas Woman’s University, in Denton, TX, on Saturday March 23, 2024. Hotels will be available at contract rates for teams and officials travelling from other regions.

Team Check-in: Student Union at Hubbard Hall, 303 Administration Drive.
Judges Check-in: Arts & Sciences Building , 304 Administration Drive.

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)

The HARO Competition will take place at San Jacinto College, South Campus, 13735 Beamer Rd, Houston, TX 77089.

Awards Ceremonies will be follow in the Gymnasium Building (#21) .

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

Untrained Volunteers must register by this date for provide team credit for Regional Competitions. Here is the 2-hr Volunteer page with full details. Registration will open early January.

Job selections/assignments and times vary by Competition. 

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.

General deadline to register your team for our Regional Competitions. This is the last date for late starting teams to be automatically accepted. After the deadline, late teams are accepted at the discretion of the Regional Director.

In general, teams should register their roster as soon as they start discussing the long term solution.

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 28, 2023.

Team Workshop Sessions: 90 minutes each at 10 am or 11:45 am. You specify time preference during sign-up

Nominal fee: $18 per team (updated).

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, whereas the tournament fees are paid at the local Texas Chapter. Please do not issue/send payment to the wrong location. If you need a consolidated district invoice, you may request it by email at membership@odysseyofthemind.com. Please cc your Texas Regional Directors.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct 21st 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.

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.

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

We will plan to use the Board Lounge channel on the TX Odyssey Discord for the meeting, so if you haven't already, please join the Discord here: Join TX Odyssey Discord.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept 30th from 9 am to 1 pm.

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

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

WHEN: September 23rd 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: Wednesday, September 13th 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 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.