0762-87223 problem 2:Problem 2 8/16/07 3:16 PM Page 1

2007-2008

Problem No. 2:

DinoStories

© Copyright 2007, Creative Competitions, Inc.

0762-87223 problem 2:Problem 2 8/14/07 10:38 AM Page 2

DinoStories
Problem No. 2: Divisions I, II, III, & IV

Introduction
Children of all ages are fascinated with dinosaurs. We wonder what the world was like when these ancient ani-
mals roamed the land. Our imaginations take over and we can see them in our minds. Then we become even
more curious and wonder what happened to them. How did dinosaurs become extinct? One scientist says
dinosaurs became extinct because of an asteroid (or meteor) impact, another says it was because of a virus,
and yet another says it was a result of volcanic eruptions. The theories go on and on and too often they are pre-
sented as fact. We don't know for sure what caused dinosaurs to become extinct. These theories seem possi-
ble, and because no one really knows what happened it is virtually impossible to disprove any of them. See how
far your creativity takes you when you imagine reasons for dinosaurs becoming extinct.

A. The Problem
The team's problem is to create and present a humorous performance about a team-created theory of what
caused dinosaurs to become extinct and a technical presentation of the Extinction Event. The performance
will include a dinosaur character that becomes extinct, a replica of the dinosaur character, and a different
animal character that survives the Extinction Event. Part of the performance will be portrayed as taking
place during the Mesozoic Era and will include a change of scenery through technical means.
The creative emphases of this problem are on the team-created theory, the technical presentation of the
Extinction Event, the replica of the dinosaur character, and the change of scenery using technical means.
The Spirit of the Problem is for the team to create and present a humorous performance that includes a
team-created theory of what caused dinosaurs to become extinct, a technical presentation of the Extinction
Event, a dinosaur character, a replica of the dinosaur character, a surviving animal, and a scene from the
Mesozoic Era where scenery changes through technical means.

B. Limitations (Italicized words/terms are defined on Page 5 in the Problem Glossary or in the 2007-2008
Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide.)
1. General Rules: Read the 2007-2008 Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide. This manual is updated
each year and includes basic limitations for solving Odyssey of the Mind problems and the forms
required for competition. This problem cannot be solved without referring to the Program Rules section
of the guide.
2. Problem Clarifications: The 2007-2008 Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide explains the types of ques-
tions about the rules that will be clarified and the ways to submit those questions. General problem clarifi-
cations can be accessed at www.odysseyofthemind.com/clarifications/ and are published in the fall and
winter issues of the Odyssey of the Mind Newsletter. Problem clarifications improperly submitted, or post-
marked or emailed after February 15, 2008, will not be answered. CCI may find it necessary to issue clarifi-
cations after that date, so continue to check for them after February 15 and before each competition.
3. The time limit for this problem is 8 minutes. This starts when the Timekeeper says, "Team begin" and
includes setup, Style, and presentation of the problem solution.
4. The cost limit for this problem is $145 (U.S.). The combined value of the materials used during the
demonstration of the team's solution, including Style, cannot exceed this amount. The 2007-2008
Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide explains the cost limit and lists items that are exempt from cost.

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5. The team must create and present a humorous performance that includes:
a. an original, team-created theory of what caused dinosaurs to become extinct.
b. a technical presentation of the theory, called the Extinction Event.
c. a dinosaur character.
d. a replica of the dinosaur character.
e. an animal that survives the Extinction Event.
f. a scene from the Mesozoic Era.
g. a technical change of scenery during the scene from the Mesozoic Era.
6. The theory:
a. must be a team-created reason for what caused dinosaurs to become extinct. It may be an adapta-
tion of an existing theory. It may be one continuous event or an event that takes place in stages over
an extended period of time.
b. does not need to be possible.
c. must be presented to be the cause for the extinction of the majority of or all of the dinosaurs.
7. The technical presentation of the Extinction Event:
a. may be presented at any time during the performance. It may be presented continuously or in seg-
ments and may be attempted as many times as the team wishes.
b. does not have to be part of the scene from the Mesozoic Era or take place when that scene is
presented.
c. must demonstrate the team-created theory and its effects.
d. must include the replica of the dinosaur character. The replica may appear at any other time during
the performance.
e. must not include team members portraying characters.
f. must be a technical process and include sound, movement, and visual change.
g. may be repaired at any time and may be attempted more than one time.
8. The dinosaur character:
a. must be based on an actual dinosaur that became extinct by the end of the Mesozoic Era.
b. may appear in the performance at any time, and may be portrayed in different ways at different times
(all will be considered for score in D4).
9. The replica of the dinosaur character:
a. may be anything the team wishes, but it must not be portrayed by one or more team members in
costume.
b. must look recognizably similar to the dinosaur character.
c. will represent the dinosaur character in the Technical Presentation of the Extinction Event. The repli-
ca of the dinosaur character may appear in the performance while the dinosaur character is present.
10. The surviving animal:
a. must be a species of mammal, amphibian, reptile, or bird that exists today. It must not be any other type
of animal, and it does not have to be a species that is believed to have existed in the Mesozoic Era.
b. may be portrayed in different ways at different times during the performance.
c. may appear in the performance at the same time as the technical presentation of the Extinction
Event. A replica of this character may be used in the technical presentation.

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11. The part of the performance portrayed as taking place during the Mesozoic Era:
a. may be the entire 8-minute performance, or only part of the performance.
b. must appear to be during the Mesozoic Era. However, the scene may include components, charac-
ters, items, etc., that are not from that era or which are original, team-created ideas.
c. must include scenery that changes using a technical process. The change:
(1) may be anything the team wishes as long as part of the scenery changes in some way. The
scenery does not have to change into different scenery.
(2) can affect all or part of the scenery, and can affect elements that are not part of the scenery.
d. does not have to include the dinosaur character, the surviving animal, or the technical presentation
of the Extinction Event.
12. The team must present the Staging Area Judge with graphic documentation that supports that its
dinosaur character and surviving animal qualifies. This can be a photocopy from a book, a computer
printout, a museum handout, etc.
13. The team should present the Staging Area Judge with three copies of a list on one side of one or two
sheets of 8½" x 11" or A4 paper. This list must be hand-printed, typed, or computer generated. It is for
reference only. If the team fails to provide a list, the judges might miss an element, which may adversely
affect the team's final score. This list must include:
a. the team's membership name and number, the problem name and division.
b. a brief description of the Extinction Event.
c. a brief description of the technical presentation and when it will be presented.
d. a brief description of the dinosaur character.
e. a brief description of the surviving animal.
f. a brief description of the technical change of scenery to be scored in D8.
g. the signal the team will use to indicate it has finished its performance.

C. Site, Setup and Competition

1. A stage or floor area a minimum of 7' x 10' (2.1 m x 3 m) will be used, but a larger area is desirable.
This will not be marked. Teams must be prepared to perform in a 7' x 10' area. If space permits, the
team may perform and/or place equipment, props, etc. outside the 7' x 10' area. If a drop-off exists
beyond the 7' x 10' dimensions, a caution line may be taped 30" (76.2 cm) from the edge of the drop-off.
This will serve as a warning, not a boundary.
2. A three-prong electrical outlet will be available. Teams must bring their own extension cords and
adapters, if needed.
3. The team members should report to the competition site with all items for the presentation of its solution
at least 15 minutes before they are scheduled to compete.
4. At the end of the 8-minute competition period, the Timekeeper will call time and all activity must stop.
The team may end before the 8 minutes but it must signal the judges when it is finished.
5. Teams should bring cleaning utensils to clean up any mess. Should a team take an unreasonable
amount of time to clean the site, or leave a mess, the judges will assess an Unsportsmanlike Conduct
penalty. Others not on the team's roster may help the team clear the site and remove the team's props.
The competition area must be left clean and dry for the next competing team.

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D. Scoring
1. Creativity of the overall performance (originality, effectiveness) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 15 points
2. Creativity of the theory for the extinction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 10 points
3. Technical presentation of the Extinction Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 to 50 points
a. Is successfully completed ......................................................................0 or 10 points
b. Creativity of the overall engineering ........................................................1 to 20 points
c. Uniqueness of technical methods used to
create sound, movement and visual change...........................................1 to 20 points
4. The dinosaur character ..........................................................................................................2 to 20 points
a. Effectiveness in the performance ............................................................1 to 10 points
b. Quality of its overall appearance .............................................................1 to 10 points
5. The replica of the dinosaur character.....................................................................................2 to 20 points
a. Creativity of its design and how it is made ..............................................1 to 15 points
b. How well it represents the dinosaur character ..........................................1 to 5 points
6. The surviving animal ..............................................................................................................2 to 20 points
a. Effectiveness in the performance ............................................................1 to 10 points
b. Quality of its overall appearance .............................................................1 to 10 points
7. How well the Mesozoic Era is portrayed ................................................................................1 to 10 points
8. Technical change during the Mesozoic Era part of the performance .....................................2 to 40 points
a. Is successfully completed........................................................................0 or 10 points
b. Creativity of the overall engineering .......................................................1 to 20 points
c. Effectiveness of the change in the performance .....................................1 to 10 points
9. Humor in the performance .....................................................................................................1 to 15 points
Maximum possible: 200 points

E. Penalties (Deducted from percentaged scores.)

1. "Spirit of the Problem" violation (each offense)..................................................................-1 to -100 points
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct (each offense) ..........................................................................-1 to -100 points
3. Incorrect or missing membership sign ...............................................................................-1 to - 15 points
4. Outside assistance (each offense) ....................................................................................-1 to -100 points
5. Over cost limit ....................................................................................................................-1 to -100 points
6. Dinosaur character does not meet limitations .........................................................score zero for D4b only
7. Surviving animal does not meet limitations .............................................................score zero for D6b only
8. Mesozoic Era is not portrayed.................................................................................score zero for D7a only
Omission of scored problem requirements carries no penalty except loss of score.

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F. Style (Elaboration of the problem solution; use three copies of the Style Form from the 2007-
2008 Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide)
1. Creative use of materials in a costume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 10 points
2. Artistic quality of a prop in the Mesozoic Era part of the performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 10 points
3. (Free choice of team) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 10 points
4. (Free choice of team) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 10 points
5. Overall effect of the four style elements in the performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 10 points
Maximum Possible: 50 points

G. Tournament Director Will Provide*

1. A 7' x 10' (2.1m x 3m) presentation area (larger, if possible).
2. A three-prong electrical outlet.
3. A judging team and materials necessary to judge this problem.
NOTE: Contact your Tournament Director for information regarding site specifications, such as size
of competition area, floor surface, registration procedures, etc. Do not submit a clarification request
for this information.

H. The Team Must Provide

1. Three copies of its Style Form, one Material Values Form, one Outside Assistance Form,
and all team-specific clarifications.
2. Documentation as required in B12.
3. Three copies of its list as described in B13.
4. Any necessary extension cords or outlet adapters.
5. Cleanup materials as needed.

I. Problem Glossary (Italicized terms that are not in this Glossary can be found in the 2007-2008
Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide glossary.)

Technical Process — the application of tangible mechanisms, other than human power alone,
that work together to achieve an end result; that is, it must include material components and
cannot be only a thought process, philosophy, idea, etc. The mechanisms may be powered
and/or operated by team members, and the process may incorporate different types and levels
of technology.
Uniqueness of technical methods — the degree of difference between methods used to meet a
requirement of a problem as well as the likelihood that no other team will use the same method
and/or materials in that manner.
Visual Change — that which is visually observable changes in appearance at least one time.

Problem by Dr. C. Samuel Micklus and Sam W. Micklus © Copyright 2007 — Creative Competitions, Inc.
Creative Competitions, Inc., its licensees, and the problem authors assume no responsibility for damage or
injury incurred as a result of attempting to solve this problem.
® Odyssey of the Mind, OotM, the Odyssey of the Mind logo, and OMER are federally registered trademarks of
Creative Competitions, Inc.

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