ODYSSEY OF THE MIND SEASON KICK-OFF
Combine building props and technical devices, interesting costumes and live theater with problem-solving, brain-storming and team-work, add in some hard work, toss in TONS OF FUN and you end up with..Odyssey of the Mind!!
The Odyssey of the Mind (OM) program focuses on learning how to solve problems using each student's creative talents and skills. Teams of 5-7 students are challenged to solve a Long-Term Problem over a period of several months, and then present their creative and unique solution at the annual Vermont State OM Tournament (Saturday, March 22, 2014 at CVU). Teams ranking 1st and 2nd within their Division (Elementary, Middle, High School) and Problem are invited to attend World Finals where they compete with teams from around the planet. Several local teams have attended World Finals in past years.
By participating, students not only have a FUNtastic time, but learn a variety of valuable life-long skills: thinking outside the box, creative problem-solving, working collaboratively..and so much more!
To get the season started students (K-12 from any school) and parents from the area are invited to:
Odyssey of the Mind Informational Meeting
Monday, September 30th - 6:30-7:30 pm
Camels Hump Middle School Cafeteria
Invite a friend or 2 or 10 and cOMe find out how to have sOMe creative fun!
We'll have snacks, too!
Odyssey of the Mind is open to all students in grades K-12. Registration forms will be available at this meeting. If you have questions or are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Denise Noble (434-8440; vtis4us@sover.net). Coordinators from RES, CHMS and Bolton will be in attendance, but folks from all over may attend to find out more. For additional info go to http://vt.odysseyofthemind.org.
Problems range in focus to appeal to a variety of students. This year's Long-Term problems include:
#1: Driver's Test- teams must design, build, and drive a vehicle that travels a course driven by a student driver attempting to complete tasks to pass a driver's test. The vehicle will use two different propulsion systems, encounter a directional signal and have a GPS that talks to the driver.
#2: The Not-So-Haunted House- teams must create and present an original performance that includes a "pop-up-style" not-so-haunted "house" where four special effects take place that are supposed to scare others, but produce a different result instead. The performance will also include a surprise ending.
#3: It's How We Rule - teams will re-create a King's Court from history and make their own court in an original kingdom at a different time and place. Decrees will be issued that fit in with history and that change an everyday behavior. The humorous performance will include a song accompanied by a team-created instrument, a jester, puppets and a Peoplet (a person portrayed as a puppet).
#4: The Stackable Structure - teams will design and build a structure made of separate components (made of balsa wood and glue) stacked on top of each other. They'll be tested by balancing and supporting weights after they are stacked. Before stacking, they'll be integrated into an artistic representation of Earth.
#5: Seeing is Believing -teams will create and present an original performance about a community that feels threatened by something in a location it has never visited. Travelers will be sent to visit/explore the location and will use a means of communication to send a message home to convince the community there is nothing to fear. The performance will include a narrator, rhymes and a moving set piece.
Primary: The World's First Arts Festival - (For Teams K-2 Only) teams will create and present an original humorous performance about a prehistoric art festival which will include artwork, dance, music, song, a team-created audience to experience it all and a backdrop that is a replica of a cave painting
Feb 11, 2025, 6 to 8 PM
SFM Winter Market in Historic Town HallFeb 15, 2025, 10 AM to 2 PM
Talk- Ira Allen: a Biography with J. Kevin GraffagninoFeb 15, 2025, 2 to 3:30 PM