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1998 Problem Synopses
OMers select one of five long-term problems to work on each year. Here are the 1996-97 long-term problem synopses. To get the full specifications, you've got to buy a membership.
Pageant Wagon
The team’s problem is to design and build a Tow Vehicle and a Pageant Wagon, and to present a festive performance that includes humor and a Grand Finale. The Tow Vehicle will be powered and driven by a team members(s) and will tow or push the Pageant Wagon around a course. The Tow Vehicle and the Pageant Wagon will carry all of the team’s props. The Pageant Wagon will be used as part of the set for the performance. During the performance, the Tow Vehicle will travel the course and show off, which includes performing a task, to attract interest in the Pageant Wagon. In addition, the Pageant Wagon will accomplish a task that will be part of the Grand Finale. The time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $100 (U.S.) value (Divisions I, II, III, and IV)
Morph Magic
To solve this problem, the team is to create and present a humorous performance that includes a character who undergoes a morph from a human to an animal. The character will either find some plight as an animal that it will help or, when in animal form, find something to make the human's life better. The performance must also include a team-made device that will morph from its original appearance into something else. In addition, all of the team's props must fit inside a limited space. The time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $100 (U.S.) value (Divisions II, III, IV)
Classics.......Marvelous Mentor
For this problem, the team is to create and present a performance about an advertising agency that has been commissioned to make a television commercial about a product that is nutritious. During the performance, the agency has the good fortune to have an acclaimed individual as a mentor for the project. The performance will include music, humor and the team's presentation of its television commercial. The team will also design a package for the product. In addition, all of the team's props must fit inside a limited space. The time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $100 (U.S.) value. (Divisions I, II, III, IV)
Camouflaged Creation
This problem requires teams to design, build and test a Camouflaged Structure made of balsa wood and glue. The Camouflaged Structure may be stained and/or painted and will be part of a Larger Creation made by the team. During the performance the team will remove the Camouflaged Structure from the Larger Creation, then test it by having it balance and support as much weight as possible. The team must also create and present a theme for the performance. In addition, all of the team's props must fit inside a limited space. The time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $100 (U.S.) value. (Divisions I, II, III, IV.
Create & Animate
For this problem, the team will create and present a humorous performance where an inanimate object comes to life. The performance will also include music and a team-created poem or song. In addition, all of the team's props must fit within a limited space. The time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $90 (U.S.) value (Divisions I, II)
