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<\/p>\nThis year’s 2019 Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problems have just been published. You can find the synopsis of them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n There are four Odyssey Divisions…<\/p>\n There is also a Primary Division<\/strong><\/span> for kids K-2 where they solve a Primary-focused problem and perform their solution at the local level, but they do not compete against other Primary teams and cannot move onto the State level. It’s designed to introduce younger kids to Odyssey in a fun non-competitive manner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many skills will be developed while your child is on an Odyssey of the Mind team…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here’s what some participants had to say…<\/p>\n \u201cI wholeheartedly believe that OotM played a very large role in much of my success. It is amazing that such a good thing for my life was so much fun to do at the same time.\u201d ~ Kevin Twilliger, participant<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/article>\n \u201cOdyssey helped both of our girls grow and bloom. It taught them to think beyond the first idea and to rethink when things didn\u2019t 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<\/strong> far beyond participation.\u201d ~ Pam Hall Gombert, parent & volunteer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong>\u201cThe skills I learned through odyssey have helped me to think more creatively and find different ways to solve problems. It was a creative outlet<\/strong> 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.\u201d ~ Kristen Scheuermann, participant<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n See some of the Odyssey of the Mind Alumni success stories<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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<\/a> like some of the success stories above or help them step out of their comfort zone.<\/p>\n 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…<\/span><\/p>\n I watch self-confidence grow right before my eyes. <\/span><\/p>\n I watch conflict-resolution and help guide kids through it (not ignore it). <\/span><\/p>\n I see shy kids giving it their ALL during performances. <\/span><\/p>\n I watch kids fail terribly then get back up and come up with another solution despite the time they spent on the first one. <\/span><\/p>\nWhat Grades Can Be a Part of a Team?<\/h3>\n
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Benefits of Being On an Odyssey Team<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nSkills Developed<\/h3>\n
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A Mom’s and Coach’s Perspective<\/span><\/h2>\n
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- 1. Long-Term Problem<\/span><\/strong> – Each team chooses one of 5 problems to solve and spend months solving it uniquely by dreaming up their solutions and putting them into an 8-minute play, all team created, without influence from parents, family, or peers. They write the script, build backdrops, make costumes, create props, rehearse, and finally perform their solution at local, state, and world levels if they place in the 1st or 2nd place during the local competition. See an overview of this year’s problems here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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