Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind is a worldwide creative problem solving competition. For 25 years, this unique program has taught students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interest.
Odyssey is based on the belief that the mind, like the body, can be trained through practice and exercise to reach its fullest potential. Participation requires diligence and hard work, but is also fun and rewarding. Coaches guide the teams, but the teams must do all their own work and develop their own solutions! From Odyssey of the Mind, students can learn that team work is essential, that creativity is developmental, that risk-taking is valued, and that it is worthwhile to strive for excellence.
Each year new problems are developed at the Odyssey headquarters. There are five general categories: Vehicular, Technical, Classical, Structural, and Dramatic. Teams of 5 - 7 students compete on 3 levels: long-term, spontaneous, and style. In the long-term/style competition, the team presents an 8 minute performance of the problem they have been working on for months. The spontaneous competition is given to the team only minutes before they are to solve it. Students compete on teams in three age divisions: Division I (under 12), Division II (under 15) and Division III (under 19).
This is the 12th year for Odyssey of the Mind at Abington Heights. We have had teams from Clarks Summit Elementary, South Abington Elementary, Waverly Elementary, Middle School and High School. This year (2008-2009) we had 19 teams, eight of which advanced to the State finals. Three of those teams further advanced to the World finals at Iowa State University.
For more information about Odyssey, visit their website at: www.odysseyofthemind.com