TM Corner

Team Manager's Corner

Posted Wed, 2011-08-24 20:53 by webmaster

Welcome to California Creativity's Team Manager's Corner. We're here to trade tips, stories, fears, failures and successes about being a DI team manager (TM). Being a TM can be overwhelming and a little isolating. This is the place to cure both these ills so jump on in and participate.  Since this is a public web site, comment submissions will be moderated.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Posted Wed, 2012-02-01 00:00 by aorcutt

Time becomes short with only weeks left until tournament day!  [Since regional tournaments are spread out over several weeks, you'll notice a vagueness in these state-wide hints when yours will be]

It's maybe a little early for this topic but I'm making this up as I go (improvisation) and it doesn't hurt to start thinking about it now. Besides as we get closer to the tournament, I'll be overloading you with tournament tips to make your experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

Instant Challenge Teamwork

Posted Wed, 2012-01-25 00:00 by aorcutt

Its now weeks but not months to the regional tournament and by this time I'm thinking every team is putting the finishing touches on their solutions. OK maybe not. They will get there however so hang in there, take plenty of pictures and reread the Rules of the Road.

Side Trips + Improv

Posted Wed, 2012-01-18 00:00 by aorcutt

Side Trips

When it comes to appraising Team Challenges, I really love to do Side Trips because there is so much variety. I've seen teams with mediocre Central Challenges just blow us away with amazing Side Trips and go on to the next level of competition. This is especially important in the more technical challenges where even a good structure design or vehicle can run afoul of "Murphy's Law".

Comments

by jim_mccarthy66 - 2012-01-22 12:00

To not confuse new folks, the parts of team challenge called "Team Choice Elements" used to be called "Side Trips" which fit into an old food theme associated with challenges.
 
Also, there are 3 scoring elements with each of the 2 Team Choice Elements for the A:, B:, C:, E:, and pO challenges this 2011-2012 DI program year. Check out the details in the challenges.

 

 

Frustration

Posted Wed, 2012-01-11 00:00 by aorcutt

One of the toughest things to deal with in DI is frustrated team members. When one's hopes and plans collide with the sharp bite of reality, frustration sets in. Tantrums, proclaimations of stupidity and feelings of universal persecution often follow. If it weren't so heart wrenching, it might be funny. I've included some suggestions to help teams deal with this inevitable part of trying to accomplish something.

Transitions

Posted Wed, 2012-01-04 00:00 by aorcutt

If you haven't steered your team from what I call the "sitting around the table" phase to the "doing stuff" phase, it's time to hurry things up a bit. I hate to panic anyone, but the regional tournament is not "next year" anymore. It is not interference to encourage the team to stop deciding/planning and start doing. It is amazing how little needs to be decided before the team starts looking for materials, trying technical ideas and writing scripts.

Tool & Material List

Posted Wed, 2011-11-23 00:00 by aorcutt

Feel free to post this for your team to help them with expanding their idea of what's out there. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list.  Safety, the Rules of the Road and the individual Challenge must be taken into account at all times.  If you don’t know what something is… do some research.

Adhesives

Materials

Posted Wed, 2011-11-16 00:00 by birdwiser

Learn about materials, what's on hand or trip to Home Depot, Michaels, fabric store

We learn early on that certain materials have certain uses. This helps us accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently. However, it also limits our imagination. A straw is useful for drinking. A straw can also be used for building, connecting, transporting and many other functions. Allow your team to experiment with materials. Give them miscellaneous stuff and have them describe the attributes of the items. What could they be used for?

Understanding Creativity

Posted Wed, 2011-11-09 00:00 by birdwiser

Destination Imagination teaches a creative process, providing tools and training to help facilitate teams from start to finish. The creative process is often described as having four phases.

First is the Preparation Phase. This involves the acquisition of data. What does the challenge require? What materials and resources are available to the team? What information does the team need to solve the challenge?

Focusing on a Solution

Posted Tue, 2011-11-01 23:00 by aorcutt

So your team has a list of great ideas about a mile long and it's about time to pare down the list. Your goal as TM is to get the team to agree on any idea that makes everyone satisfied. Easier said than done. There are lots of ways to trim ideas and one probably works about as well as another until the team gets down to the final two or three. Factions can develop or one person absolutetely MUST have their idea. No amount of rational discussion can avoid the emotional storm of some children (or adults) to not getting their way. Here are some general ideas to help with focusing.