TECHNOTES: What is Odyssey of the Mind?

Over the years, I have mentioned Odyssey of the Mind in our articles.  As an Odyssey of the Mind coach for the past 5 years, I’m a big proponent of it. 

Why?  Because I believe Odyssey of the Mind has cemented in my kids’ mind that they are…

• creative
• clever
• self-confident
• leaders
• team players
• project managers
• planners
• makers
• not afraid to use power tools
• resilient

Of all the different sports, clubs, and programs my kids have been through, I believe Odyssey of the Mind has taught them the most life skills that will last them a lifetime.

Long-Term Problems

There are always 5 types of problems offered each year.  Each team must choose one problem to solve.  These are the  descriptions of each type from the Odyssey of the Mind website:

•  1.  Vehicle – Traveling through creative courses, hitting targets, delivering parts, and carrying teammates “across the sky or “under the seas” are some of the tasks completed by original team-made “vehicles. Teams use unusual sources of energy and original engineering to create vehicles that often don’t look or move like a vehicle. OMers perform an original skit that usually includes characters and special effects but the emphasis is on the running and testing of the vehicle.

• 2.  Technical – Creating a robotic pet, a Not-So-Haunted pop-up House, and rubber band powered devices are technical problems our teams have solved. The level of technology is up to the team and ranges from basic engineering and electronics to more advanced robotics. Technical devices have served purposes that include producing special effects, delivering mail, and improving the lives of people in need. OMers test their devices in performances that are often hilarious.

• 3.  Classics – Imagine turning the story of Pandora’s Box into a video game or creating an original Lost Labor of Heracles! In our Classics problem, Teams write and perform original theatrical performances based on a work from classical literature, artwork, music, culture, or history. Subjects range from bringing the past to life to revisiting and rewriting history, all while OMers learn about world history. Solutions often reflect upon the majesty and sophistication of humanity’s most impactful and enduring creations.

• 4.  Structure – Picture a 15-gram (½ ounce) structure made of balsa wood holding and balancing a stack of weights while getting rammed, twisted, or even broken apart. Each year a new problem requires an original structure to withstand a new test of strength as it holds weight until it breaks. It’s not uncommon for experienced teams to hold over 1,000 pounds. OMers create and present performances ranging from comical to extravagant where testing their structures is part of the action.

• 5.   Performance –  Whether it is showing the world from the point of view of an animal, acting out a Food Court where all of the characters in a courtroom are food, or showing social outcasts saving the planet, you can be sure that our performance problem will be fun and unexpected. In their solutions, teams integrate stage and drama elements from lighting effects to puppetry to elaborate set changes. Original characters and unusual situations give OMers plenty of opportunities to show off their creativity.

I have coached six teams over the years.  We have tried all of these types of problems except for the Structure one.  One of my favorites was a Classics problem where the team needed to learn the story of Pandora’s box and create a play around making it into a video game.

Another favorite was to choose two classic artists, recreate one of their pieces of art, and create a new piece of art made with a unique medium that would be popular in the future.  The kids then needed to show how in each instance of creation how Omer, the Odyssey of the Mind racoon mascot, inspired each artist to create the piece of art.

Benefits of Being On an Odyssey Team

I’m not going to lie.  Being on an Odyssey of the Mind team is not for the faint of heart.  It involves work, dedication, putting other outside things aside (not schoolwork though!) to ensure you have time to work with your team.  My teams start in October and go until March or longer, dependent upon whether we place in the local competition.

We meet every week for 2 1/2 hours to brainstorm and practice spontaneous activities up until Christmas vacation.  In January, we meet 6 hours a week and all holidays for 4 hours, as we build, create, and rehearse.

But when you see a team come together to brainstorm, write a script, build, rehearse, encourage each other, and learn to work with each other’s idiosyncrasies, you witness firsthand how Odyssey of the Mind shapes your kids.

Many skills will be developed while your child is on an Odyssey of the Mind team…

Skills Developed

• problem-solving
• critical thinking
• creativity
• budgeting
• leadership
• teamwork
• social skills
• brainstorming
• craftsmanship
• technology applications
• programming
• design
• performance
• public speaking
• spontaneous thinking
• improvisation
• project management
• resilience
• and many more!

Here’s what some participants had to say…

“Odyssey helped both of our girls grow and bloom. It taught them to think beyond the first idea and to rethink when things didn’t work. Dave and I remain involved long after our girls graduated as we feel strongly that this program provides an opportunity for OMers to develop life skills far beyond participation.” ~ Pam Hall Gombert, parent & volunteer

 “The skills I learned through odyssey have helped me to think more creatively and find different ways to solve problems. It was a creative outlet and a way to interact with other people who also like to think outside of the box. It has also influenced my decision to become an elementary school teacher because I want to teach in a way that emphasizes creativity and imagination.” ~ Kristen Scheuermann, participant

See some of the Odyssey of the Mind Alumni success stories.

A Mom’s and Coach’s Perspective

Odyssey of the mind opens up kids’ minds to what is possible and gives them the opportunity to do so many things they may have never been exposed to before.  It can nurture their passion like some of the success stories above or help them step out of their comfort zone.

I highly recommend you think about coaching a team too.  Coaching has given me the privilege to see firsthand how kids have developed from the beginning of the year to the end of the competition…

I watch self-confidence grow right before my eyes. 

I watch conflict-resolution and help guide kids through it (not ignore it). 

I see shy kids giving it their ALL during performances.

I watch kids fail terribly then get back up and come up with another solution despite the time they spent on the first one. 

I’ve watched my own kids grow up during these past 5 years as well as 40 other kids. 

It has been a lot of work, yes, but a tremendous blessing.

Coaching a team may even lead you to discover or further pursue your passion.  I know it did for me.  I found that I like building things and fixing things.  I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my DIY projects at home but learned quite a bit as a result.  It’s OK to fail as long as you keep learning and making adjustments.  Now my kids are learning this too.

Creativity resides within all of us, it just needs to be nurtured and developed.  Using creativity to problem solve, as in Odyssey of the Mind, will give your children the advantage in their chosen careers and when addressing real-world problems.