Odyssey of the Mind

Primary Problem, Problem 1 - Vehicle, Problem 2- Technical, Problem 3- Classics, Problem 4- Structure, Problem 5 - Performance

Teams Will form ONLY if enough parents volunteer to coach

Additional Information

• Slides from parent information night October 19, 2023
• 20 Minute Video Introduction to Odyssey of the Mind (good to watch if you missed the info meeting)
• https://www.odysseyofthemind.com/
• https://novaeastodysseyofthemind.wordpress.com/

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 and work together to solve a problem with their team of 5-7 students. They then bring their solutions to competition at the regional meet at Wakefield High School on Saturday, March 9, 2024. 

Why do it?

• To develop creativity and problem solving skills in a team environment.
• To make new friends and keep trying until you succeed together. 

When does it start?

• 3rd-5th graders generally start in November.
• K-2nd graders generally start November or December.

How does it work?

• Teams of 5-7 meet generally once a week. 
• During team meetings all teams create a short skit, complete with costumes, dialogue, props, and other individual problem-specific parameters (such as the inclusion of a vehicles, balsa structures, songs, literary and artistic references, etc.).
• Teams perform the skit at a judged event on March 9, 2024 at Wakefield HS, with teams from other Northern Virginia schools.
• Participation by students is a privilege provided by volunteers. Students will be required to sign and abide by a behavior contract.
• The Internet has examples of past Odyssey of the Mind performances. (For example, try searching YouTube for "Odyssey of the Mind.")

Who are the Odyssey Coaches?

• You could be an Odyssey coach!  Parent volunteers coach all teams.  No experience is necessary. Formal training will be provided Saturday, October 28th at St. Louis Catholic School in Alexandria from 8am-1pm.  Past ONLINE trainings are also available if you cannot make the in person training.  COACHES’ TRAINING VIDEOS – NOVA EAST ODYSSEY OF THE MIND: REGION 11. Odyssey Academy also has a great series of videos explaining specific aspects of coaching.  
• There will be a Problem-Specific Q&A meeting for coaches on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (free).
• Teams cannot be formed without TWO COACHES FOR EACH TEAM.  

All Parents Have a Role 

• In addition to coaching, you can be trained as a regional judge (February 24, 2024, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at St. Louis Catholic School at 2901 Popkins Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306) or volunteer at the NoVA East meet (Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Wakefield HS).  You can also provide weekly snack, plan a dress rehearsal, pick up supplies, store the team's project.  The Odyssey of the Mind organization requires teams to provide judges and volunteers at the tournament in order to compete.

How Much Does it Cost?

• $30 per student.  The Claremont PTA is covering the costs of registering with the National Odyssey of the Mind organization.  The $30 fee will cover the costs of team materials, registering for the competition, and coach training.  We do NOT want this fee to be a barrier to participation.  To apply for a scholarship, contact Haydee Colon-Jenning at haydee.colon@apsva.us or 703-228-2500. 
• Coaches may also ask parents to donate clean recyclable materials for teams' use, and possibly other materials families already have on hand.  The Odyssey of the Mind program aims to keep costs low so that all teams are on a similar playing field.

Questions? If you need help registering or need to apply for a scholarship, please contact Haydee Colon-Jenning at haydee.colon@apsva.us or 703-228-2500. If you have other questions, please contact Claremont parent Michele Shepherd at mnrshepherd@gmail.com.

Registration by Nov 4, 2023 INTEREST FORM - ENGLISH or 

FORMULARIO DE INTERÉS - ESPAÑOL