Odyssey of the Mind
Jill Williamson:
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Phone: 252-943-7660
What is it? When is it? What exactly is my kid doing?!
Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is a program designed to help students to:
- Develop creative thinking abilities
- Apply known principles and facts to "hands on" situations
- Improve communication skills
- Learn to use the creative problem-solving process
- Recognize and utilize skills of all team members
- Develop and use local resources
- Develop and use research skills
- Exercise critical thinking skills - analysis, synthesis, and evaluation
- Have fun while learning all of these important skills
Teams of 5-7 students work on solving a long-term problem. Non-team members (teachers, friends, parents, and anyone else other than the team members) are prohibited from assisting with the actual solutions. However, skills can be shared with the team members. For example, a mother who knows how to use a sewing machine may teach her daughter, who is a team member, how to use it. The mother is not allowed to design or actually sew the costume to be used in the solution.
Another part of the program is "Spontaneous." These are short problems given to the team members to solve "on the spot." This tests the ability of the students to work effectively and creatively as a team.
Our OM Regional Competition is Saturday, March 5th at North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. We will register at 8:00 am. The competition is usually an all day event. Due to an unbelievable amount of props and costumes, parents/guardians are asked to provide transportation for their child to and from the competition. Oftentimes, students and families decide to car pool. Some families opt to spend the night before in a hotel close to the competition site. The team members depend on one one another to reveal their solution to the judges. Therefore, all team members must go to competition to be able to complete. Parents/Guardians usually want to be at the competition as it always proves to be an exciting and fun day for kids and adults! Please let me know if you believe that getting your child to competition will be a problem. We may be able to work something out somehow.
You may enjoy reading more about this program online at http://www.ncom.org. we are the "Coastal Region."
I look forward to seeing your child every time he or she comes to class. Each child is unique and has something interesting to offer this program. It's always exciting!
Thank You,
Jill Williamson, AIG Facilitator
