Two weeks ago, all three of the Wise School Odyssey of the Mind teams traveled to Iowa State University for the World Finals.
Competing with hundreds of teams from around the globe, Wise School’s fourth grade team took second place in the world, while the third grade team placed seventh, and the fifth grade team placed 17th.
“I am so proud of our outstanding kids, their supportive parents, and our dedicated coaching team,” said Wise School’s Jason Meth, Project Studio Teacher and Odyssey of the Mind Program Coordinator. “A special thanks to Ms. Cohen, Ms. Mitzman, Mrs. Stepakoff, and the Wise School administration for all their support and hard work, without which, none of this would be possible.”
In Odyssey, teams of seven students from around the world select a problem, accompanied by a lengthy list of criteria, and develop creative solutions to the problem.
The “solution” culminates in a one-of-a-kind performance that showcases not just an answer, but student creativity, teamwork, problem solving skills, artistic abilities, engineering aptitude, costuming preferences, and acting talents.
Throughout the years, Wise School has sent many teams to state, national, and world championships. This is the first time we have sent three teams to the World Finals, which are comprised of three days of intense competition.
Similar to the regional and state competitions, teams presented the most refined version of a long-term solution to a problem they had worked on for the past nine months. They were also given a spontaneous challenge which tested their impromptu problem solving. Both elements combined for their overall score.
“Every team competing at this level had advanced from their regional tournament and had already become state champions,” said Meth. “This competition was at a very high level.”
The trip wasn’t all business, though. After an opening ceremony at the Hilton Arena, Wise teams observed world class performances, attended a creativity festival, and traded pins with fellow students from around the United States and overseas. One of the highlights of the trip was a wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat dinner for Wise School teams and families.
Walking in to the arena for the awards ceremony, the ream was relaxed and confident.
Said Meth: “Having watched our kids achieve so much this season and compete flawlessly in high pressure situations, I couldn’t help but to feel that we had won already.”