Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind Student Interest Form

Parent OM Presentation

Odyssey of the Mind (“OM”) is an international creative problem-solving extracurricular competition for students of all ages and learning levels. Students who participate in OM learn lifelong problem solving and creative thinking skills, as well as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance.

Teams of five to seven students select from one of five “long term” problems published each year, work from September through February to create a solution, and then present their “solution” at a competition against other teams in the same division who have worked to solve the same problem. Teams compete at a regional level, then may move on to compete at the state level and even at the world competition.

Third, fourth, and fifth graders compete in the First Division. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders compete in the Second Division. Kindergarten, first, and second graders may compete, or may participate without competing, in the Primary Division.

The team’s “solution” is presented as an 8-minute skit. Teams will create costumes, a screenplay, backdrop, and props. Each “problem” contains a prompt that sets out certain required elements for the team’s “solution.” For example, a problem may require a team to build a vehicle that travels five feet, compose and sing a rhyming song, and have a prop with a lighting element. Another problem might require a team to create a musical about a historic figure, present three songs, and have some aspect of their scenery move. Each team has approximately $125 to spend on their solution.

Importantly, only the team members can contribute to the team’s solution, both in terms of ideas and creating the elements of their presentation. Even the coach cannot contribute. Instead, the coach is there to facilitate the team’s creative problem-solving process, help the students work as a team, and help the students gain access to resources they need to solve their problem in the way they envision. For example, a coach might teach the students how to use a sewing machine so that the team can sew a costume, drive the team to Michael’s to pick out craft supplies, or find a community member who can teach the team the woodworking skills needed for the team to create a prop.

Teams will meet after school, usually at the house of a coach or team member. Teams typically meet once per week. Teams may choose to meet more frequently as the February competition grows closer. It is a commitment similar to playing a sport.

Reach out to our OM chairs Monica Robinson or Avalon Fitzgerald with any additional questions.