Ahoy, mateys: Otisville Odyssey of the Mind team to represent district at March 4 O-U BOCES Region 5 Odyssey of the Mind competition

Odyssey of the Mind information

An Otisville Elementary School team is representing Minisink Valley at the March 4 New York State Odyssey of the Mind Region 5 competition at Orange-Ulster BOCES.

odyssey of the mind teamTeam members are: Joel Cay, Giuliana Coppola, Dylan DeSieno, Jillian Mecocci, Braylon Paris, Charlotte Ringus and Illeana Sierra. They’re coached by Jenna Colman. They are performing their solution to Long-Term Problem 1: “Pirates and the Treasure.”

“Odyssey of the Mind is an incredibly valuable experience because it allows students to have an outlet for creativity,” said Coach Colman. “It also promotes teamwork, collaboration and Students paintingsportsmanship. As a completely student-directed activity, Odyssey of the Mind provides students with an opportunity for critical thinking and problem-solving. Our team has been working very hard since early October to prepare for their Long-Term Problem. Over the course of  three practices per week for about 18 weeks, we have built and painted sets, scripted and performed our solution, and practiced spontaneous problems. They are ready for competition!”

Odyssey of the Mind pinIn this problem, a group of pirates sail their “ship” to reclaim stolen treasure and return it to the Queen. The pirates will battle an original sea monster that guards the treasure. The performance will also include a pirate captain, flag, and song.

Odyssey of the Mind teams of up to seven students compete in five different problems which encompass vehicle, technical, classics, structure and theatrical themes. Each team receives its problem in early October and then proceeds to build, tape, glue, paint and “test run” props and mechanisms to prepare the best solution to the odyssey of the mind mascotchallenge.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.