Why Odyssey of the Mind is Good for Kids
The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. For more than twenty five years, this unique program has helped teachers generate excitement in their students. By tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems -- great and small -- for a lifetime. The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems. They are free to express their ideas and suggestions without fear of criticism. The creative problem-solving process rewards thinking "outside of the box." While conventional thinking has an important place in a well-rounded education, students need to learn how to think creatively and productively.
In the Odyssey of the Mind . . .
Who Participates?
Millions of students from kindergarten through college have participated in the Odyssey of the Mind. Since the Odyssey of the Mind eliminates the fear of criticism, even shy students are afforded the opportunity to open up and express themselves. Students learn to work in teams. Each year, five new competitive problems are presented for the teams to solve. These long-term problems are solved over weeks and months. Some of the problems are more technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance based. Each long-term problem rewards "Style" in the solution. This helps teach students that they should not simply try to solve problems but take the next step of enhancing their solutions. The teams are invited to participate in competition and present their solution with other teams. At the competition, the teams are given an on-the-spot "spontaneous" problem to solve. The combination of long-term problem-solving, Style, and spontaneous problem-solving produces a confident, able student.
The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. For more than twenty five years, this unique program has helped teachers generate excitement in their students. By tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems -- great and small -- for a lifetime. The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems. They are free to express their ideas and suggestions without fear of criticism. The creative problem-solving process rewards thinking "outside of the box." While conventional thinking has an important place in a well-rounded education, students need to learn how to think creatively and productively.
In the Odyssey of the Mind . . .
- Students develop team-building skills by working in groups of as many as seven students per team.
- Students learn to examine problems and to identify the real challenge without limiting the possible solutions and their potential success.
- The creative-thinking process is nurtured and developed as a problem-solving tool.
- Students of all types will find something that will appeal to them.
- The fun of participation leads to an elevated interest in regular classroom curricula.
- Teachers have a program to further provide students with a well-rounded education.
Who Participates?
Millions of students from kindergarten through college have participated in the Odyssey of the Mind. Since the Odyssey of the Mind eliminates the fear of criticism, even shy students are afforded the opportunity to open up and express themselves. Students learn to work in teams. Each year, five new competitive problems are presented for the teams to solve. These long-term problems are solved over weeks and months. Some of the problems are more technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance based. Each long-term problem rewards "Style" in the solution. This helps teach students that they should not simply try to solve problems but take the next step of enhancing their solutions. The teams are invited to participate in competition and present their solution with other teams. At the competition, the teams are given an on-the-spot "spontaneous" problem to solve. The combination of long-term problem-solving, Style, and spontaneous problem-solving produces a confident, able student.
Parent Information
Informational Flyer in September Tuesday Folders
OM 2016-2017 Long Term Problems :
Primary Problem K-2 Movin' Out!
Problem #1 3-5 Catch Us If You Can
Problem #2 3-5 Odd-A-Bot
Problem #3 3-5 Classics...It's Time, OMER
Problem #4 3-5 Ready, Set, Build!
Problem #5 3-5 To Be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger
Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, September 29th, 6:30-7:30 pm Art Room @ Root
Online sign-up Form Link
Sign-up deadline: Friday, October 7th
Informational Flyer in September Tuesday Folders
OM 2016-2017 Long Term Problems :
Primary Problem K-2 Movin' Out!
Problem #1 3-5 Catch Us If You Can
Problem #2 3-5 Odd-A-Bot
Problem #3 3-5 Classics...It's Time, OMER
Problem #4 3-5 Ready, Set, Build!
Problem #5 3-5 To Be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger
Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, September 29th, 6:30-7:30 pm Art Room @ Root
Online sign-up Form Link
Sign-up deadline: Friday, October 7th
General Information
Odyssey of the Mind website: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com
NC OM Easter Region Website: http://www.ncome.org
NC OM Eastern Region Wiki: http://www.ncome.org/doku
Online registration: http://rootes.weebly.com/root-om-sign-up-form.html
PTA Contact: Kimberly Durland, rootodysseyofthemind@gmail.com
Root OM Discussion Board E-mail: odyssey-of-the-mind@discuss.memberhub.com
All OM parents will be added to the Root OM Memberhub
Coaches Information
Coaching Buddy Program link: http://goo.gl/forms/PXVzkwbENk
Coaching Buddy contact, Tom Bojanski, Tbojanski1@frontier.com
Training: October 24th
Training Location: Salem Middle School , 6150 Old Jenks Rd , Apex, NC
Odyssey of the Mind website: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com
NC OM Easter Region Website: http://www.ncome.org
NC OM Eastern Region Wiki: http://www.ncome.org/doku
Online registration: http://rootes.weebly.com/root-om-sign-up-form.html
PTA Contact: Kimberly Durland, rootodysseyofthemind@gmail.com
Root OM Discussion Board E-mail: odyssey-of-the-mind@discuss.memberhub.com
All OM parents will be added to the Root OM Memberhub
Coaches Information
Coaching Buddy Program link: http://goo.gl/forms/PXVzkwbENk
Coaching Buddy contact, Tom Bojanski, Tbojanski1@frontier.com
Training: October 24th
Training Location: Salem Middle School , 6150 Old Jenks Rd , Apex, NC
Important Dates
Thursday, September 29th Parents Meeting (Art Room, 6:30 pm)
Friday, October 7th OM Registration Due (online only)
October, tba (week of Oct 17th) Coaches Meeting
Saturday, October 22nd Coach Training
Saturday, November 5th Skills Fair
Saturday, January 21st Spontaneous Fair
Saturday, February 18th Judge Training (Mandatory-one per team) at Wake Tech
Saturday, February 18th Primary Problem Tournament at Wake Tech
Saturday, March 4th Eastern Regional OM Tournament (Wake Tech)
Saturday, April 1st NC State Tournament (NC A&T)
May 24-27th World Finals (Michigan State)
Thursday, September 29th Parents Meeting (Art Room, 6:30 pm)
Friday, October 7th OM Registration Due (online only)
October, tba (week of Oct 17th) Coaches Meeting
Saturday, October 22nd Coach Training
Saturday, November 5th Skills Fair
Saturday, January 21st Spontaneous Fair
Saturday, February 18th Judge Training (Mandatory-one per team) at Wake Tech
Saturday, February 18th Primary Problem Tournament at Wake Tech
Saturday, March 4th Eastern Regional OM Tournament (Wake Tech)
Saturday, April 1st NC State Tournament (NC A&T)
May 24-27th World Finals (Michigan State)
Questions?:
PTA Contact: Jessica McIntyre, jmcintyre@alumni.ncsu.edu or rootodysseyofthemind@gmail.com
Odyssey of the Mind website: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com
PTA Contact: Jessica McIntyre, jmcintyre@alumni.ncsu.edu or rootodysseyofthemind@gmail.com
Odyssey of the Mind website: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com
A Creative Experience Video:
Features testimony from teachers, parents, coaches, and team members who talk about the benefits and rewards of participation. Includes problem footage filmed at past World Finals. It's a great way to get others excited about the program! 10 minutes.
Odyssey of the Mind, the Odyssey of the Mind logo, and OMER are federally registered trademarks of Creative Competitions, Inc.
©copyright 2006 Creative Competitions, Inc
©copyright 2006 Creative Competitions, Inc