Odyssey of the Mind PC* Problem
*Pin Collectors

Divisions I, II, III, IV, Coaches, Parents and Officials

Introduction

Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem solving competition that holds annual international competitions know as World Finals. For this World Finals, as well as Local Regional and State competitions, regions, states and teams create pins displaying their creative talents. The trading of these pins is an excellent way to meet new people and make new friends.

A. The Problem

The problem is to identify and collect as many team, region, state and country created pins as the problem participant finds desirable. These pins will be collected and shared in groups and individually, in any way the two participants of the trade wish. Remember, all trading must occur entirely without the exchange of money.

The creative emphasis of this problem is in the delivery of the request and the display of your "trader" pins.

The Spirit of the Problem is for each party of the trade to feel accomplishment and joy in the trade, additional points will be given to trades in which one party goes out of their way to complete the others collection.

B. Limitations

  1. General Rules: Read the Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide. This manual includes basic limitations for all problems. Limitations pertaining to fair play, sportsmanship and safety all apply to this problem.
  2. Problem Clarifications: There are no clarifications for this problem.
  3. The time limit for this problem is the life of the participant.
  4. The cost limit for this problem is available resources of the participant. Remember that food, mortgage payments, etc. are important, and it is suggested that pin purchases be limited so as to allow those obligations to be met.
  5. The participant must: (a) bring one or more pin(s) for trading, (b) keep a good attitude at all times, and (c) deal fairly with all other participants.
  6. Trading must take place at reasonable hours, though reasonable hours are determined by the participants. Trading with a judge during World Finals competition times is discouraged as is trading in a performance site during a team's problem solution performance. Trading in a "No Trading" posted area is not allowed. Violations of these rules will result in an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty.
  7. Contacts regarding trading can be made by any means agreeable to the participants.
  8. General trading parameters are pin part for pin part, but this is by no means a firm rule. A pin or pin set one party finds very desirable can be traded at any exchange rate agreeable to the trading parties. "Hot" trading pins and international pins may require more than one pin for a successful trade.
  9. It is generally unrealistic to try to obtain every pin available, successful strategies include the "one pin from each state/country" strategy, the "any pin with OMER" strategy, the "multi-part pin sets" strategy, the whoever I meet till I run out of pins" strategy and many others. Any strategy is acceptable if it brings you pleasure and you have fun performing.
  10. This problem is a trading problem. Purchase of pins should be limited to purchases from Regional, State/National and Odyssey of the Mind International sources.

C. Site, Setup and Competition

  1. Pins should be displayed in a manner that allows others to see what you have available for trade.
  2. Pin display material can be anything the participant desires, Odyssey of the Mind makes pin towels available in the souvenir shop. Placemats, pieces of felt and hand towels are also effective as display/storage devices. Chosen item(s) should be able to protect pins from scratching each other, from becoming detached and be able to be gathered quickly (such as when your team bus is pulling away from the curb, without you on it).
  3. When two parties are making a trade, it is unfair for another trader to interrupt the negotiation. If the original traders cannot agree, then others may make counter offers to either of the original traders.
  4. Pin trading can cause traffic jams to quickly occur. Be observant of these potential safety issues and, if possible, move the competition out of traffic flow. Especially proficient traders can attract large crowds to observe their collections and trading style.

D. Scoring

  1. Acquisition of desired pin(s) ……………………………. 50 - 51 points
  2. Presentation of pins to others for viewing ……………….. 49 - 50 points
  3. Development of 1 (one) positive trading story …………... 50 - 51 points
  4. Presentation of one (or more) pin(s) to rookie trader ……. 49 - 50 points

E. Penalties

  1. Unfair advantage - Taking advantage of a new, unseasoned trader is not allowed. Kids some adults are new at this and not as accomplished as you. Bear with them and explain techniques and methods as you see needed.
  2. Unsportsmanlike conduct - Rudeness, "high pressure" techniques and deception are strictly forbidden.

F. Style

    1. Creativity of the display of your trader pins…...…………. . 1 to 10 points
    2. (Free choice of Participant) ……………………………… 1 to 10 points
    3. (Free choice of Participant) ……………………………… 1 to 10 points
    4. (Free choice of Participant) ……………………………… 1 to 10 points
    5. Display of enjoyment shown completing problem…….…. . .1 to 10 points

G. Regional, State, National and International Organization will provide.

Pins suitable for trading. These pins must be purchases, see B.4 above.
Locations at Regional, State/National and World tournaments for traders to meet and
perform this problem

H. Competitor Must Provide

Towel or other devise for holding, displaying and protecting trader pins and those that have been collected. Positive attitude and desire to meet and make new friends from other states and countries.

I. Tips Regarding Trading:

  1. "Hot Traders" - No one really knows what pin or pins will become "Hot Traders." The chances are that if you really like a pin, then others will also. Pins are usually easier to obtain earlier in the week. You may want to trade for extra pins that you really like and use them later in the week to trade for those hard to get pins you are searching for. Pins from states with small delegations are sometimes hard to find and could potentially become good traders.
  2. Trading for Traders - A lot of pin collectors will trade for more than one of a popular pin or pins and use them later to trade. This will help if you are trying to trade with someone that already has the pins you have brought to trade.
  3. Non OotM Pins - Usually, non-OotM pins do not trade very well. However if you like one of these pins, then trade for it. As long as you are happy with the pin, then it's a good trade. Remember, you may not be able to trade the non-OotM pins to someone else later.
  4. Your Trading "Stock" - Always keep a good number of your trading pins with you. You never know when a trading opportunity will present its self.
  5. Label Your Storage System - Be sure that your name, address, team name, long-term problem, and division are on your pin storage system. If you become separated from your pins, someone may return them to you or to the lost and found. If you should happen to find someone's pins, please return them to the person or to the lost and found.
  6. Establish Your Trading Goals - There are so many trading pins present at World Finals that it is unrealistic to try and trade for all of them. Set a reachable goal. For example, some traders try to get one pin from every state and every country. If you are successful in meeting your goal, then set a second goal such as getting all OMER pins. Whatever the goal, it establishes some guidelines to follow that should aid in your trading experience.
  7. Displaying Your "Keepers" and Your "Traders" - A lot of pin collectors will keep two separate storage systems. One system is used to store your "Keepers." These are the pins that you do not want to trade but keep for your collection. The second storage system is used to display your "Traders." These are the pins that you will display to other potential traders. This approach will lessen the chance of you trading away a pin that you really wanted to keep.
  8. Give-A-Way Pins - A lot of pin collectors (especially adults) will keep a few or a lot of pins to give to young or inexperienced traders. It will warm your heart to see the smiles on those sweet young faces when you give them a pin and don't expect a trade in return. Try it yourself. You will gain a lot of sweet memories.
  9. Pictorial Pin History - For those of you who would like to see the history of Odyssey of the Mind pins, there is an on-line Pictorial Pin History site you may want to visit. This site has over 2000 Odyssey of the Mind pins that spans the years 1989 until the present. There are pins from almost every state and country that have attended World Finals during those years. To see the Pictorial Pin History click here.
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