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Odyssey of the Mind, or OM, is a creativity-powered adventure where kids learn to think boldly, work together, and turn wild ideas into real solutions. It is an international creative problem-solving program in which teams of up to seven students, affectionately called OMers, tackle open-ended challenges that blend engineering, performance, storytelling, and pure imagination. There is no single right answer here. Instead, OMers are rewarded for original thinking, collaboration, and clever use of materials, not for having the fanciest supplies or the most polished result.
In OM, students choose a long-term problem to solve over several months, designing everything themselves from the storyline to the props to how the solution works. In fact, "outside assistance" from anyone else -- including the coach -- violates the spirit of the competition! This is an activity that authentically builds students' autonomy and exercises their problem solving skills. They also practice spontaneous problems, which are surprise challenges solved on the spot that build quick thinking, communication, and confidence. Along the way, OMers learn practical skills like building, painting, sewing, and creating with recycled materials, while also developing teamwork, leadership, and public speaking skills. Most importantly, the ideas are theirs. Adults guide and encourage, but OMers make the decisions, solve the problems, and proudly own their work.
OM is open to students from kindergarten through high school, with age-appropriate divisions and even an inclusive program designed to support neurodiverse students and students with disabilities. It is part competition, part creative workshop, and part unforgettable experience. For parents, it offers a chance to see children discover strengths they did not know they had, whether that is inventing, performing, building, or leading a team. For kids, it feels less like an after-school activity and more like stepping into a world where imagination is the main ingredient and anything is possible.
What are the specific types of problems Omers solve?
What are the specific types of problems Omers solve?
Primary Problem
Kindergarten through 2nd grade teams learn collaboration skills as they joyfully create and present an age-appropriate performance that blends creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through imaginative characters, art, basic engineering, and storytelling in a fun, non-competitive showcase that introduces them to the magic of OM’s open-ended challenges.
Problem 1: Vehicle
An engineering challenge where teams design, build, and operate a creative vehicle or mechanical device to complete specific tasks and overcome obstacles, all while bringing the solution to life through a fun, theatrical performance blending problem-solving, imagination, and teamwork.
Problem 2: Technical
Another engineering challenge where teams dream up, build and operate original devices or contraptions that perform required tasks while weaving them into a playful performance full of characters, humor, and storytelling that make solving engineering puzzles feel like an adventure.
Problem 3: Classics
For this cultured challenge, teams must research real art, literature, history, or music and spin their knowledge into a theatrical performance that brings those classics to life through original scripts, characters, costumes and creative twists.
Problem 4: Structure
Teams unleash their inner architects by designing and building an ultra-light balsa wood structure that gets put to the ultimate test balancing and holding as much weight as possible while also being integrated into a creative, dramatic performance.
Problem 5: Performance
There's no limit to the imaginative storytelling, set design, costuming, hair and makeup, acting, and sometimes even singing when teams present this original stage performance full of humor, quirky characters, and theatrical pizzazz that portrays a unique theme.
Inclusive Problem
A creatively adapted challenge in which a team composed of neurodiverse students and/or students with disabilities prepare and perform an approximately 10-15 minute play.
Hands-On Spontaneous Problem
In these surprise, fast-paced challenges, teams are given everyday materials to collaboratively build a physical, tangible solution on the spot, turning quick thinking and teamwork into an exciting moment of creative play and problem-solving fun.
Verbal & Hands-on/Verbal Spontaneous Problems
In these high-energy challenges, team members take turns giving imaginative and creative spoken responses to a prompt within a set time, with more original answers earning higher scores; the whole experience feel like a lively improv game with purpose and fun.
What are the competitions like?
What are the competitions like?
In Forest Hills, our OM season involves up to four "main events": Spontaneous Spectacular in January, the Regional Tournament in February, the State Tournament in March, and the World Tournament in May. All teams can participate in Spontaneous Spectacular -- a non-competitive district-level event that does not include Long Term Problem presentations -- and the Regional Tournament composed of West Michigan school districts. If a team places in the top two (or sometimes three) teams at Regionals (or are awarded a Renatra Fusca), they advance to States. If a team places in the top two at States (or are awarded a Renatra Fusca), they can advance to the World Tournament... a multinational, multi-day celebration of all things creative and OM.
Long Term Problem Presentations
Each team is assigned a 20 minute slot to perform their skits for a team of judges and a crowd of family, friends and any other OMers who would like to watch. Depending on the needs of each problem, skits will take place in classrooms, gymnasiums or theatre stages.
Spontaneous Problem Competition
Each team is assigned a 20 minute slot for completing a secret spontaneous task for the judges; no other spectators are allowed, not even the team's coaches. After competing, teams are sworn to secrecy until after the award ceremony.
Downtime Activities & Atmosphere
Between their own competitive events, teams will practice in the hallways, interact with one another, assemble and touch-up their props and sets, trade pins and other items, watch each other's performances, play games, enjoy team picnic-style or food truck lunch and snacks, buy and wear OM swag and silly hats, and make new friends from around the state or even the world.
Awards Ceremonies
Primary Teams (K-2) have their own ceremony at the Regional Tournament where every child is honored to end their season. All other teams, coaches and spectators gather in the gym for trading while judges finalize scores. Then medals are awarded to the top teams and special honors (and scholarships) are announced. An exciting celebration of creativity!
Did you miss the Family information night?
Did you miss the Family information night?
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