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Odyssey of the Mind, or OM(TM), is all about problem solving, creativity, and empowering students to think for themselves. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program for students of all ages.
Teams of up to 7 students work together over the course of 6 months and present their long-term solutions in the form of an 8-minute skit at the Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament each March. Top teams are invited to compete at the OM World Finals. There are three components to every competition - long-term, spontaneous, and style.
Divisions
Divisions
Students compete in one of four divisions depending on their grade. The team division is defined by the oldest student on a team. Younger students are allowed to "play up" a division, but older students are not allowed to "play down."
Primary - Grades K-2, a non-competitive division that competes only for feedback
Division 1 - Elementary school students grades K-5
Division 2 - Middle school students grades 6-8
Division 3 - High school students grades 9-12
Long-Term Problem
Long-Term Problem
Teams work together over the course of the OM season to create a "solution" to one of 5 problems. The details and specific requirements of the problems change each year, but the 5 categories remain the same. Each problem has a supply cost limit of around $150. For more information on current problems, visit the Odyssey of the Mind website.
Problem 1 - Vehicle
Teams build a self-contained vehicle in order to complete a series of tasks.
Problem 2 - Technology
Teams build a device or contraption alongside artistic elements.
Problem 3 - Classics
Teams present a creative interpretation of classic literature.
Problem 4 - Structure
Teams design and build a structure out of balsa wood to hold as much weight as possible.
Problem 5 - Performance
Teams create a themed performance incorporating lots of humor.
Spontaneous
Spontaneous
At competition, teams will encounter a short-term, or spontaneous problem, to test their ability to solve problems on the spot without and prior preparation. If you've ever done a team building exercise with toothpicks and marshmallows, you'll have an idea of what spontaneous is all about! Teams typically have 10 minutes to provide their response(s). For examples of spontaneous problems, please visit our Resource page.
Verbal
Teams are given a problem in which they must provide verbal responses, typically each student responds in turn.
Verbal Hands On
Similar to verbal, but teams are usually provided with props that they much incorporate into their verbal response.
Hands On
Teams are given supplies and must use them to solve the presented problem.
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