OMO2009

OMO 2009 - May 29th & 30th - Trent University
Hosted by Pine Ridge Mathematics Association Jacqueline Hill & Sandra Jean Price - co-chairs

Brain Dump - on Sunday May 31st - by Greg Clarke
Here are my collected (though not necessarily organized) thoughts and notes about the OMO 2009 event. All in all - it was a great event - for kids and organizers and teachers alike. It was very well run, and things went smoothly and without a hitch.

Events - and comments about them - more or less chronologically as they happened at OMO 2009. Some are firsthand accounts, others were as they were described to me, or as I took notes thereof.


 * Friday, May 29th**

 **--> QUESTION:** Should we plan an extra activity so the early groups have something to do - just in case? We'll have to be careful so earlybirds don't ruin the fun of the Murder Mystery exploration around the grounds - extra activity could be restricted to one section of OELC.  **--> QUESTION:** Do we suggest (strongly) that all teams plan adequately to ensure arrival close to 3pm (or whenever we plan our start time to be)
 * **1pm - first team arrived.** Note that arrival time was advertised as 3pm, but WOMA group left early to avoid traffic through Toronto, and padded timing just in case of unforeseen holdups. Teams continued to arrive - 1:30pm, 2pm, etc... COMA team arrived after supper, and NWOAME team arrived after final evening activity had already started. (COMA drove from Ottawa - probably not leaving until after school. NWOAME also didn't leave until after school - no supply teacher coverage. Had to fly to T.O., then rent car to drive to Peterborough.)

 **--> IDEA:** We should have signs starting at the Washago turnoff (for those coming from the north), through Washago and to the Rama Rd, and then from time to time on the Rama Rd (with distances - how much left), then along OELC laneway, to parking lot (and one from there to registration, if needed). From other direction, sign at Hwy 12 (from both directions) pointing to Rama Rd, then again along Rama Rd at intervals. The posters were just on bristol board (and it didn't rain), but they were colourful and worked.
 * **Driving to OMO site.** Once off the highway and into Peterborough, lots of OMO signs directing you to the exact building on Trent University where the event was being held. I REALLY liked this idea - even though I had my GPS unit with me, and a printed map, it was very reassuring to know I was getting close (built the excitement - as it would, hopefully, for the kids too), and on the right track.


 * **3pm (or arrival) - teams enter with team chant and team poster.** Teams arrived singing and chanting. Greeting committee had a rubric to judge team chant and team poster by, marking done on the spot - counted towards 5% of final OMO score - AND - intended to build team spirit / team unity (especially for chapter all star teams - about half the chapters have playdowns and select individuals to form their rep teams, the other half do what we do and choose entire teams from a school.) I like this component and think we should keep it. The low weighting assures that it won't skew real results, but that it has a part also insures that all teams take it seriously and participate. However, it should be noted that there were some very shy mathematicians present when it came time to be in front of others in the large group.

 **--> REMEMBER:** Quick to get in / quick to move along / quick to get out --> this will be appreciated by all.  **Bags were donated by publishers** (various and differing numbers by different publishers). They were the large types similar to the reuseable blue or green grocery bags that most grocery stores are selling and encouraging. They have lots of room for goodies, easy to carry, and make organizing stuff simple and straightforward. Each coach got one. Each kid also got one - but theirs were not handed out until they needed them during their first activity. Each volunteer also got one with some thank you goodies.
 * **Team registration** - after the initial cheer, (which identified the chapter), team names and members were verified on attendance list (and extra parent volunteers noted - only 1 extra unexpectedly arrived this time I think). One bag was prepared in advance and given to coach - had welcoming letter - all the details - schedules - maps - all info required - PLUS - keys to rooms for coach / parents / kids. Very quick, very organized.

 **--> QUESTION:** Should the team photos include the adults as well as the kids? (Personally I prefer that) -- whatever our decision, I think we should be consistent.  **--> REMEMBER:** Media release is part of standard package. We'll have to be diligent to ensure that we have them all, and to make sure to double-check that all permissions are given. If there are exceptions - (none this year) - we'll have to make sure that not only the Photographer, but also the Welcoming Ctee (and Chairs) are aware of the team involved so we don't put someone in a tight spot.  **--> IDEA:** The OMO Photographer is an important job during the weekend, and that person should have no other tasks. (The OMO 2009 photographer was also a ctee member, organized the Fri night event, and helped out other places when she could. Too much stress. ) Perhaps one of the Teacher Candidates could be convinced to take on this role? OMO Photographer is also responsible for putting together the slide show that is shown as part of the closing ceremonies - and should have a system so that this can be assembled throughout the weekend and put together quickly, and ready to go when needed.
 * **Team photo** - was also taken upon arrival. Looked like (from the slideshow at the end) that they were half and half with coaches (and parent volunteers) and without.

 **--> QUESTION:** Do we want to keep this new type of event as well in our OMO ? Again, this was marked and counted as 5% of final score - not a huge deal, but enough so that each team participated. I did not see the actual live performances, so I can't judge what they looked like, or how the kids did. I was present for the after dinner sing a long, and it was fun (for me), and the kids seemed to enjoy it too. George called down the team whose poem was being sung (along with the coach). Dan was very young and played electric guitar along to the songs and was quite good - and actually ran the sing a long mostly himself - and had a good rapport with the kids. It was interesting, and it is a creative idea. I'm not sure how it fits into our theme (if we are planning on making it mirror a traditional Olympic Games a little more). George did not approach me regarding incorporating this element into the OMO2010 games - and if he's not on sabbatical, he may not be interested in doing so. I think if we WANTED to keep this element though, his presence would not be a make or break part of the decision. --> **NOTE AFTER THE FACT:** I was asked to post the song videos on the OAME website, which was done linking from the OMO page on the site. George had prepared the files and linked them all to a common start page, which made this process very easy for me. Initially, he had posted the videos to HIS homepage, but there was concern about this that the permissions were a) not for video, and b) not for any site other than OAME. By removing his link, and directing all traffic to the OAME's OMO homepage, I think all things were resolved. We just have to be cognizant of this, and upfront about what permissions we need, what will be posted where etc..
 * **Math Performance** - was videotaped upon arrival as well after picture taken. This was a [|new component] added this year, and organized by George Gadanadis from U of Western Ontario (on sabbatical this year). Teams were asked to submit PRIOR to the event a math performance entry - a poem, or song, skit or interview related to math, a math term, or a famous mathematician. Then, on the day of, they were videotaped performing it. After supper on the Friday night, in the whole group, George and his assistant (grad student?) Dan led the whole group in a singalong. They had taken some of the poems that were submitted and tweaked them into songs set to (more or less) familiar songs - like //I'm a Believer//, //Hey Jude//, //Yesterday// ...

--> **BIG QUESTION:** There were times throughout that the whole group was addressed - official welcoming before supper - post-supper intro to activity - post breakfast startup - after lunch reminders - closing ceremonies. Where will we hold those big group events ? The short ones we can do in the dining hall if need be (like post-lunch reminders), but longer ones? Thoughts ?

 **--> REMEMBER:** Need someone to organize food. Apparently many grocery stores are quite willing to donate food for a kids event like this (according to OMO 2009 ctee), or sell items at cost. Do we have the right person to ask these questions and get these deals ?
 * **Snack** - Snacks were provided throughout the weekend - peanut free granola bars were in student and teacher bags along with a gatorade. Important to have something ready soon after arrival since most have been travelling a while - some will have stopped recently before arrival, others may have driven straight through. Healthy choices (vegies / fruit) were apparent, and juices and water.

 **--> QUESTION:** Should we keep our plan for our Mystery ? (yes) - but modify the plan so that the activity begins before supper and continues afterwards ? We do have a large OELC to cover (we could even add extra evidence while kids are eating supper). Should our Mystery be something less violent than murder - would a missing persons case be OK, or is that too scary (perhaps if we're careful to make sure there are clues that prove the missing person really is still alive along the way ... us always being just a few steps behind them ..).  **--> REMEMBER:** I will need people to help with the planning of the mystery once I come up with the general outline of it, and lots of volunteers to help assemble things before the event, and work the grounds on the day of.  **--> QUESTION:** Will we have access to a class of Teacher Candidates for volunteers for part of the OMO (I'm thinking of the Mystery right now, but in general as well)
 * **CSI activity** - once teams were done their initial welcoming events, and snack, they were given this activity to do. The idea was that this would keep them busy until the official welcoming and supper. Similar to our idea of a Murder Mystery (someone must have been to OAME007 ...), except that the mystery involved a stolen calculator, not murder. The suspects were all organizing committee members (including Jacqueline), and the clues were left around the college buildings where the OMO took place - though not too far to wander, it did get them moving about. There wasa bottleneck with the evidence room - only 1 dorm room in a hallway not designed to have hordes of people trying to come and go in it ... so that was a bit of a logistical oops, but other than that it went well. So well in fact that after the evening scheduled activity (the math performance sing a long), instead of doing the PLANNED evening activities (tossing a rubber chicken, and various other events involving a rubber chicken), most of the kids wanted to finish the CSI, which Jacqueline decided they should do. Rubber chickens put on ice. (No one had solved the crime before supper anyways. Activity was created by Sharon Buschbeck, new PRMA chapter rep as of June, and it was a modified version of an activity she uses in her classroom which usually takes 2h or a bit less. Neither the CSI activity nor the rubber chicken activities counted towards the OMO final score.

 **--> REMEMBER:** student volunteers (cabin monitors / team buddies) will help instruct kids how to conduct themselves in dining hall, proper camp etiquette etc.. First meal together this should all be explained, perhaps by an organizer, and reinforced by team buddies.
 * **Supper** - was served in the college caf - had to swipe pass card - and line up slowly. No swiping will be needed for us, and camp style serving (one person from each table gets stuff from kitchen and brings back to table) will make this process go faster.

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> **--> QUESTION:** If we do plan to use a Mystery before and after, should we have another activity ready to go just in case people do get finished the mystery early ?
 * **After dinner activity** - Gathered in common room (was a lecture hall, with seats sloping up at back - very easy to see for all in the room, spacious enough to easily fit all 28x4 participants, plus coaches, parents, organizers and volunteers at once). Math Performance sing a long in lecture hall. Then, CSI activity until bed time.


 * **Bedtime** - appreciated by all ... two kids per room. Coaches and parents responsible for making sure everyone in their rooms by curfew, and curtailing noise. (not a big deal). Security hired I believe to ensure safety throughout night - or regular Trent U security ? (not sure)


 * Saturday, May 30th**

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> **--> REMEMBER:** Need to hound Len Catlieu (TI) to donate ... Jacqueline didn't receive the calculators until the Tuesday before the contest ! Just in time delivery ! <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
 * **Breakfast.** Good healthy start to the day. (Some kids needed loud waking up .. at least the one whose room was next to mine ... or the coach thought he needed to bang loudly on the door to wake him up!) In our cabins, with the camp counsellor in with the kids, and multiple kids to get up at the same time, unlikely that any would sleep in.
 * **Keys and packing up.** After breakfast, kids packed up rooms, put suitcases in locked holding room and handed in keys to coaches, who handed them into organizers. Coaches got to keep their keys until they left (handed in before final group meeting.)
 * **Post breakfast morning meeting.** Meeting with all kids and coaches. Coaches and parents sent off (who wanted to go) on day trip (to Peterborough Petroglyphs). Not all went - some just stayed and marked (marking they brought from school). A few volunteered to help out with running the contest (OAME bd members that Jacqueline knew). Kids were then separated into four groups - contest was in four parts, and kids rotated through the sections. (Didn't matter which order they were done in). Groups 1 - 7 / 8 - 15 / 16 - 22 / 23 - 28 (they had planned for 30 altogether, but 2 teams bailed at the last minute - so - groupings weren't perfectly even - though they could have been. Not a big deal in the end.) One volunteer in a bright shirt and a sign led each set of teams to their designated area.
 * **Contest Day Schedule.**
 * 8am - Breakfast
 * 9am - Morning meeting
 * 9:30 / 10:15 Two questions were done back to back after morning meeting.
 * 11am Snack break.
 * 11:15 One more question.
 * 12 Lunch break.
 * 1pm Brief post-lunch meeting (to confirm we had everyone back from lunch).
 * 1:15 Final question.
 * 2pm Big picture outside.
 * 2:15 Final snack.
 * 2:30 Final group meeting / slideshow / awards ceremony.
 * 3:20 On the road
 * **Contest Questions:**
 * **Individual** - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">**set of 17 questions** - first 9 worth 1 mark each, next 8 worth 2 marks each - total out of 25. Calculators permitted. (A calculator was part of each kid's bag of goodies - but - not all kids remembered to bring their math materials with them. Too bad, so sad.) In the end, 4 students got perfect scores on this section - these 4 students were awarded a TI graphing calculator as generously donated by Texas Instruments. If > 4 had got perfect, the Plan B would have been to award them medals (they had extra medals made up to use as prizes as needed), and then the calculators could have been given out as some other prize.
 * **Team Relay** - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">**See It - Say It** - Build It. Team members were lined up. Person 1 was behind a box and given a picture of coloured shapes arranged on a page. They had to walk to Person 2 and describe how they were arranged. Person 2 then had to tell Person 3. Person 3 had to tell Person 4 who was also behind a box and had access to the actual coloured shape pieces, and he/she had to build it. Messages could go either way up or down the grapevine, but you could not talk to any person other than the one next to you, and no one but Person 1 could see the picture, and no one but Person 4 could touch the pieces. 8 minutes per puzzle. 4 puzzles in total. Marks were awarded for the correct placement of pieces based on location, shape, size and colour. VERY INTERESTING - great fun to watch. Possible total of 25 marks - no team got perfect
 * **Pairs competition - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">problem solving computer challenge **<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">. A computerized maze program was created with various levels and obstacles. The goal was to clear each level of the obstacles before going through the maze (by pushing balls into a hole in the maze floor). Each person had a computer to work with, but only one score per level was counted - so - one strategy could be to use one computer as the test computer, try different strategies to get rid of obstacles, then do it for real on the other computer. Total of 25 marks - some teams did get this solved completely (25/25).
 * **Problem Solving whole team challenge. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Locked Box puzzle **. A series of puzzles, each leading to the next. Initial puzzle solution leads to which box team should open up. Second puzzle reveals 3 numbers to be used as part of combination. Team then has to instruct contest proctor which numbers (in which order) to try (so they have to also know how to structure the possible combinations of the 3 numbers so they can test all combos). After unlocking box, one final set of puzzles. Each set of puzzles has answers worth part marks. Total of all possible marks - 25.
 * **TieBreaker** - single sheet of puzzles to be solved as a team and submitted after lunch. This was used if a tie needed to be broken for top scores, but could have also led to another type of prize. Puzzles this time were from GAMES magazine. (52 C in a D. 12 M in a Y. etc... )
 * **Photo Shoot:** OMO Photographer arranged all contestants to form giant OMO symbol on the lawn, and took picture from 2nd floor roof. Then, had them rearranged to form a giant PI symbol, took another photo. Photos were then inserted into slideshow at end.
 * **Awards Ceremony**:
 * Welcome and Congrats by Jacqueline
 * Answers to TieBreakers by tiebreaker puzzle organizer (one of organizing ctee had taken this piece on to organize, collect and mark) --> probably not normally necessary, but the puzzles were engaging and kids wanted to know the answers ... plus it gave the slide show organizer extra time to insert the pix and prep the slideshow
 * Awards for best Math Performance
 * Thanks to organizers
 * Thanks to coaches
 * Award for Team Spirit (best team chant ?)
 * Awards for top (perfect) individual scores --> plus TI calculators awarded (have certificates ready as well)
 * Slideshow
 * Award for top 3 teams (Bronze / Silver / Gold)
 * Thanks for coming out - have a safe trip home !
 * **Other Notes:**
 * Name Tags:
 * Kid's name
 * team # + letter (A, B, C, D --> gr 7 B, gr 8 G , gr 8 B, gr 7 G - if possible, if not gr 7#1, gr8#1 / gr8#2 , gr7#2 )
 * no chapter identification on name tag<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
 * <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**--> QUESTION:** Do we want no ID - OR - do we want participants to have sense of team throughout competition (like in Olympics)
 * Bags
 * math discovery mat (Spectrum)
 * t shirt
 * geometry math set
 * pen
 * angle ruler
 * sharpened pencil
 * calculator
 * frisbee (foldable - new OAME item)
 * measuring tape
 * gatorade
 * peanut-free snack
 * Evidence bag for CSI:
 * ruler
 * paper
 * timer
 * Opening Speech to students on Friday
 * Reminder - OAME / OMO philosophy - all who make it to Provincial OMO are winners
 * at end of competition, will have a Gold / Silver / Bronze ranking - all the rest will be 4th (you'll never know - don't worry - enjoy !)
 * Allergy Check
 * Be sure of all allergy info - make sure all who need to know do know
 * Check In table / registration
 * Snacks person
 * Dinner servers
 * Contest convenors
 * Dorm supervisors
 * EpiPen check (who needs one / where are they / emerg # to call for teacher / home #)
 * Coaches Puzzles - optional - not done for OMO2009

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> **--> REMEMBER:** <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> **--> QUESTION:** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> **--> REMEMBER:** <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">**--> IDEA:**
 * --> QUESTION:**