Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program where students are taught to develop their natural creativity. Students from elementary, middle, and high school, as well as colleges, are faced with problems that require them to make original solutions. Their mascot is a racoon called OMER, picked for its ingenuity, and its ability to get in and out of mischief.
Odyssey of the Mind started in 1978 as a class by Dr. Micklus, (known to Odyssey of the Mind as Dr. Sam), at Rowan University in New Jersey. These classes challenged students to build mechanical pie throwers, teeth cleaning devices, vehicles without wheels, and more. The classes quickly gained traction with local teachers, and in 1982, went international.
According to the official Odyssey of the Mind website, this program gives students 6 different problems to work through as a team. There are five different types of primary problems: Vehicle, Technical, Classics, Structure, and Performance. Each encompasses a different useful skill for students to harness in both sciences, and theatrics. The primary objective of all the challenges is to teach students how to think on their feet, and to help develop skills such as teamwork, budgeting, time management, and public speaking.
The Odyssey of the Mind program at OCSA, sponsored by Mr. McBride, is open to both middle and high school students. Every year they’re separated into teams, and they each decide what problems they would like to tackle. Mr. McBride says during the meeting that took place October 5th, 2023, that when it comes to the problem prompts to “never take the prompt literally, and always be creative with how you execute them.” He also mentioned how, in addition to the main five problems, there are spontaneous problems that require quick thinking, as they are on a time limit. He also stated that the more imaginative and indirect your answers to these problems, and to the other six problems, the more points you’ll gain.
Caitlyn Lungstrum, a 9th grade Creative Writer, coaches the middle school Odyssey of the Mind members. She’s establishing a mentor – mentee program between the middle and high school members. When working in teams in Odyssey of the Mind, Lungstrum said “It’s so cool to see the different creative styles of everyone and really work together. You could really learn how to work with other people, even when they don’t necessarily have the same ideas as you, you could figure something out and blend ideas together. You just have a lot of fun.”
She then says when it comes to the challenges, there is not only science but also performances in which they make props and backdrops, write the skit and perform it, etc. This is a part of every challenge and encourages participants to be inventive. “It’s really for everyone, no matter what you do. It’s really cool that we go to an art school, so everyone’s art can be included in Odyssey at some point,” says Lungstrum.
This year, according to the official Odyssey of the Mind website, the problems are as followed:
Primary: The Night Life. In this problem, students will team up and create a performance about an explorer that searches for creatures in nature during the night. Teams will also make a team created original discovery that lights up. A team member will dress in a costume of a nocturnal animal.
Problem 1: Drive in Movie. Teams of students will design, build, and run their own vehicle. The vehicle will lead to a drive-in theater. Students then must make the car appear as part of the movie. This is done by the teams making a special effect that occurs on the vehicle.
Problem 2: AI Tech-NO Art. In this problem teams will build an Artificial Intelligence Tech-NO-Art device which will determine if a work of art is beautiful or not. If it doesn’t believe the art is beautiful, it will dismantle it to create something that it thinks is. The comedic performance will also team-created artwork, sound effects, and an artist character that stands up for their work of art.
Problem 3: Opening Night Antics. In this problem, teams portray an opening night performance that doesn’t go as planned. Despite the chaos, the performance will be a success. It will include a set malfunction, unexpected sound effects, and a theater critic.
Problem 4: Deep Space Structure. Teams will unravel an original mystery by portraying a balsa wood structure discovered in deep space. The structure is then examined, interviewed, and tested. “The performance will include an actual balsa wood and glue structure that is tested to balance and support weight, a character portraying the discovered deep space structure, and the scientists studying it.”, According to the official Odyssey of the Mind website.
Problem 5: Rocking World Detour. This problem will have teams create a performance about a rock band on tour. Things then get derailed- while playing the song, the band is transported to an unexpected location. The band members must use music to figure out how to get back on their tour. The performance will include brand merchandise and original hairstyles.
Odyssey of the Mind is a way to help take your imagination further and learn how to effectively work in a team environment. It helps build skills that will be useful outside the program for years to come. With both science and theatrics involved in the quick-thinking problems, there is something appealing to virtually anyone about the program.
