Odyssey of the Mind is a program that encourages the development of creative problem solving and critical thinking skills through teamwork and competition. Each Odyssey of the Mind team is made up of seven children who work on a year-long “problem.”
One competitive Division I team will be coached by teachers Ms. Wolsky and Mrs. Lamkin. One non-competive team (a demonstration team that will participate in a regional event) will be coached by parent Alli Joseph. Please click more for additional information and signups:
There is also PBS documentary on Odyssey of the Mind at
http://www.stateofcreativity.com/initiatives/films/recreating-america/.
Tuscan is excited to be forming its first two teams for the 2013-2014 Odyssey of the Mind competition.
Alli Joseph, a Kindergarten parent, will be coaching the non-competitive K-2 Primary Division team. This team will not compete but will present, and are given feedback, at the regional competition. The K-2 Primary Division team will meet afterschool on Fridays from 3:15-4:30 from October 25th through March (exact date of competition has not yet been determined). Additional weekend or afternoon sessions may be required as we near the competition.
Ms. Wolsky and Mrs. Lamkin will be co-coaching the Division 1 competitive team (1st-5th graders) which will be working on the “Not-So Haunted House” problem (see http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/materials/2014problems.php) and leading the kids in problem solving activities that will prepare them for the competition. The Division 1 competitive team will meet afterschool on Mondays from 3:15-4:30 from October 21st
through March (exact date of competition has not yet been determined and if we advance to state finals – we’ll meet through the middle of April). Additional weekend or afternoon sessions may be required as we near the competition.
Kindergarten students can only join the non-competitive team. 1st and 2nd graders can register for either team. 3rd-5th graders will be on the competitive team. Both teams will meet weekly from October to March and both will work on a year-long challenge.
Due to the national requirements that each team include only seven children, we will use a lottery system to select participants.
Registration form is posted here and the deadline is October 17th. If you cannot register online please email Emilie Zaslow at ezaslow@pace.edu.
The participation fee for Odyssey of the Mind will be $250 per child for between 17 and 20 sessions (the exact number is not yet known as we do not know how many additional pre-competition meetings will be required). No child will be denied participation due to financial hardship; inquire at the school office regarding scholarships.
We will contact all those who have registered with more information after registration closes.
Beth Brock, beth.brock@gmail.com
Emilie Zaslow, ezaslow@pace.edu Parent Coordinators