Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is a world-wide creative
problem-solving competition. Teams of students select a problem
(problem choices include vehicle, technical, classics--integrating classical
art/music/literature, structure/engineering, or pure performance), create a
solution to their problem, and then present their solution in a competition
against other teams in the same problem and age group in an 8-minute
performance.
OM integrates all the concepts of STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) education with an arts focus to require participants to
use their STEAM skills. OM students have to problem solve, invent,
develop self-reliance and team-building know-how, use logical thinking and
various forms of technology in creative ways.
Meadowlark Elementary's structure team earned an opportunity to
return to World Finals after the placing 1st place at the Regional Tournament
in Greensboro in March and placing 2nd at the State Tournament at ECU in
April. This year's World Finals are being held at Michigan State
University on May 22-25.
The team is required to build a structure out of balsa wood that
weighs less than 15 grams (about the weight of 3 pencils) thats hold hundreds
of pounds. As part of this year's requirements, the structure must first
be tossed by a team-designed device 7-10 feet and land unobstructed before
being placed on the tester to see how much weight it can hold. The team's
structure held 508 pounds at the State Tournament at ECU.
Many of these student began their Odyssey of the Mind experience
in the Primary Division of OM in 1st and 2nd grade. Meadowlark Elementary
typically has 2 teams of Primary level students and 2-4 teams of 3rd-5th
graders participate in their program each year.
This is the third team from Meadowlark Elementary to attend
World Finals in 7 years.
More information about Odyssey of the Mind can be found at Odyssey
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