Teams spend weeks or months creating solutions to the Long-Term Problems. Teams have 8 minutes to present their Long-Term Problem Solution at the competition. Teams must also solve a Spontaneous Problem that they learn of at the competition.

Practice Problems are available on the International website at: www.odysseyofthemind.com/practice

Long-Term Problem Categories
The problems are designed for competition, with scoring components and limitations, or rules to be followed. The long-term problems change every year. They fall into five general categories: mechanical/vehicle, technical performance, classics, structure and performance. Brief descriptions of the different problem categories are listed below.

Mechanical/Vehicle
Teams design, build and operate vehicles of various size and with various power sources. Sometimes they drive the vehicles, and sometimes the vehicles perform tasks, such as overcoming obstacles or visiting other "countries" to retrieve artifacts.

Classics
The theme of this problem is based on the classical -- from literature to architecture to art. Whether it's writing an additional chapter to Moby Dick or bringing paintings to life, it's always a terrific learning experience.

Performance
In this problem, teams present performances that revolve around a specific theme and incorporate required elements. Past themes include "morphing" objects, animals that express human emotions, and originating folktales.

Structure
Teams design and build structures, using only balsa wood and glue. They test them by supporting and holding as much weight as possible -- sometimes more than a thousand pounds! Teams usually present a skit as part of the Style presentation.

Technical Performance
Teams make innovative contraptions and incorporate artistic elements into their solutions. They might be asked to write an original musical score to play on a "new" type of instrument, or to build a robot with human characteristics, or to perform tasks using a chain reaction of snapping mousetraps.

Spontaneous Problems
These brain testers are really brain builders! They can be solved in 10- to 30-minute sessions. Some spontaneous problems build verbal skills, some build mechanical skills, and some build both, but all will improve students' creative problem-solving talents.

The spontaneous problems are kept secret until the competition day is over; teams are challenged to solve these problems that they first learn about when they walk into the competition room. A true test of how the students can think on their feet!