As described on the International organization’s web site:
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program. Odyssey of the Mind is meeting STEM and Common Core, and 21st Century Skills through Creative Problem Solving.
Odyssey of the Mind program 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.
Students develop team-building skills by working in groups of as many as seven per team.
Students learn to examine problems and to identify the real challenge without limiting the possible solutions and their potential success.
Student participation leads to an elevated interest in regular classroom curricula.
Students meet for about one hour each week before or after school depending on the problem they choose and their coach.
Millions of students from kindergarten through college have participated in the Odyssey of the Mind.
Odyssey of the Mind eliminates the fear of criticism, even shy students are afforded the opportunity to open up and express themselves.
Teams are formed by division and compete against teams in the same division and problem.
Grade level determines the division for teams in the U.S. and in countries with an educational structure that corresponds to the U.S.
Download this PDF presentation for a quick program overview -- Odyssey Orientation
Find a school coordinator or Check with your school, you may already have a school coordinator - Share this information with the PTO/PTA
Attend the Odyssey of the Mind Information session identified in our upcoming events
Download the Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide for details on the program -- Program Guide
Check out other information found on this website for school coordinators and team coaches.
School Coordinator Liaison: coordinator@novasouth.org
Regional Director: director@novasouth.org