Odyssey of the MInd

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2013-03-03 1:27 AM

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Subject: Odyssey of the MInd

I am the  coordinator for my school and a second year coach. Today my team qualified for State Competition. 

If your community has this program you should seriously consider getting your kids involved. Personally, it's one of the most valuable educational experiences my son will ever have. 

The focus is problem solving and team work. Those have been listed as two of the most important skills young adults need in the workplace today. 

You can learn more about the program here: Odyssey of the Mind Homepage

2013-03-03 7:15 AM
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Subject: RE: Odyssey of the MInd
It's been great experience for my HS senior and probably the most fun he's had in any of his school sponsored/academic teams.

Good stuff - I know he'll remember OotM fondly.
2013-03-03 7:32 AM
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Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida
Subject: RE: Odyssey of the MInd
Hey Kate, that is a great program. I was too stupid in high school to realize I should take one athletic season off and do something like OM. Now that you've reminded me, I'll keep it in mind for my kids.

Good stuff.

2013-03-03 8:04 PM
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Wellesley, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: Odyssey of the MInd
I did this in middle school and it was such a blast. So glad you are doing this with your students!
2013-03-03 8:27 PM
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I did OM in elementary school, and again one year in college (engineering school). It was fun in college because we got to go straight to worlds

Good for you being involved! Some of the most creative people I knew growing up went on to do great things, and I'm sure they got their start by being encouraged in this program.

2013-03-04 5:36 AM
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Subject: RE: Odyssey of the MInd
Stacers - 2013-03-03 9:27 PM

I did OM in elementary school, and again one year in college (engineering school). It was fun in college because we got to go straight to worlds

Good for you being involved! Some of the most creative people I knew growing up went on to do great things, and I'm sure they got their start by being encouraged in this program.

Wow guys. Thanks for your comments. Everyone.

They made me cry.



2013-03-04 8:26 AM
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Subject: RE: Odyssey of the MInd

Back when I was a kid (and I'm showing my age here), it was Olympics of the Mind.  I guess the IOC had a real problem with that and forced them to change the name.  Some of the most fun in school I've ever had.  My 7th grade year, we won the NJ States with the "wrecking ball structure" (today I believe they call it the "Tumble-wood").  Our balsa wood structure held up 425 pounds and survived 4 attacks from a cue ball being rolled down a 50-foot ramp and hitting our structure.  We then went to National Regionals and lost inthe first round because we didn't stack the weights perfectly even (a critical part).

The next year we stepped it up and did the RC robot challenge to gather up ping pong balls.  We thought we were so creative using a DustBuster vacuum motor and electro-magnet to grab and hold the "enemy" robot, until in the 2nd round, the "enemy's" oversized spatula simply flipped us upside down!  Oh well!  Later in college at UMass Engineering School, I was heavily involved in the HPVA, Human Powered Vehicle Association.  Competitions involving unique human-powered vehicles.  We built a hydrofoil watercraft, but lost badly to MIT's famous "Decavitator".  (They figured out how prop cavitation really slows you down.)  I miss it all!

Luckily, the genes have been passed on and my daughter, Gracie, is now doing Odyssey of the Mind.  She started in elementary school with the robotics club using Lego NEXT robots.  (I was once lucky enough to meet and talk to Dr. Dean Kamen at MIT!)

GOOD LUCK!  I am quite proud (and jealous) of you!!!

 

 

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