NCOM Coastal Region

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition.

Why Odyssey of the Mind is Good for Kids?
The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. For more than twenty years, this unique program has helped teachers generate excitement in their students. By tapping into creativity and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem solving.  Students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems -- great and small -- for a lifetime. The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems. They are free to express their ideas and suggestions without fear of criticism. The creative problem-solving process rewards thinking "outside of the box." While conventional thinking has an important place in a well-rounded education, students need to learn how to think creatively and productively.

In the Odyssey of the Mind . . .
Students learn to work together and develop team-building skills.

Students learn to examine problems and to identify the real challenge without limiting the possible solutions and their potential success.

The creative-thinking process is nurtured and developed as a problem-solving tool.

Students of all types will find something that will appeal to them.

The fun of participation leads to an elevated interest in regular classroom curricula.

Teachers have a program to further provide students with a well-rounded education.ful effect on potential customers, but only if it's clear and concise! Keep your statement or introduction to just a few lines.

Essence of the Competitions
   Each long-term problem is written for certain divisions. Official competitions are held only for the divisions listed on each problem. A team can only compete within its division and only in problems designated for its division.
   Teams are formed by division according to age or grade and compete against other teams in the same division and problem. In competition, each membership may enter one team per problem for each division it covers.
   A Team's division will be determined by grade only for all USA teams. 
Primary - Grades K-2 on May 1, 2019
Division I - Grades K-5 on May 1, 2019
Division II - Grades 6-8 on May 1, 2019
Division III - Grades 9-12 on May 1, 2019
Division IV - Collegiate. All team members must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and be enrolled in at least one course at a two-or four-year college or university

Teams compete at the regional level, and/or at the state/province/country level. Teams that advance are eligible to attend the annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, usually held at a university campus somewhere in the United States. Competing teams are scored in three areas: the long-term problem, where they prepare solutions and bring them to competition; Style, or the enhancement of the long-term problem solution; and the spontaneous problem, given to the team on the day of competition. The long-term solution is worth a maximum of 200 points, Style is worth a maximum of 50 points, and spontaneous is worth a maximum of 100 points. The total of these three scores determines a team's rank in competition. All seven members may participate in the presentation of the long-term problem solution. The team will designate five of the seven members to solve a "spontaneous" problem within a specified time limit.

An International Extravaganza
The Odyssey of the Mind is truly a worldwide competition. Participants include teams from Australia, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Siberia, Singapore, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, West Africa, and practically every state in the U.S. The annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an event to behold. It embodies the international spirit of creativity!

Who Participates?
Millions of students from kindergarten through college have participated in the Odyssey of the Mind. Since the Odyssey of the Mind eliminates the fear of criticism, even shy students are afforded the opportunity to open up and express themselves. Students learn to work in teams. Each year, five new competitive problems are presented for the teams to solve. These long-term problems are solved over weeks and months. Some of the problems are more technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance based. Each long-term problem rewards "Style" in the solution. This helps teach students that they should not simply try to solve problems but take the next step of enhancing their solutions. The teams are invited to participate in competition and present their solution with other teams. At the competition, the teams are given an on-the-spot "spontaneous" problem to solve. The combination of long-term problem solving, Style, and spontaneous problem solving produces a confident, able student.

Referring to the Odyssey of the Mind volunteers:

"Behind each one of our finalists is a volunteer support network that can proudly claim to be one of those thousand points of light that I like to talk about."    - George Bush, former President of the United States
Odyssey of the Mind Associations

Typically, a chartered affiliate is a state, province, or country that holds a competition in that geographical area. It is headed by an Association Director. Teams advance from regional competitions to association finals, and the champions are invited to compete at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Members not represented by a chartered affiliate may compete at the World Finals on a first-come, first-served basis. All Division IV teams compete directly at World Finals. Odyssey of the Mind International Headquarters provides support services and materials to its affiliates. These include publications and trained consultants to conduct workshops and training sessions, and videotapes to train judges. Odyssey of the Mind tournament officials are properly trained at judges workshops to ensure uniform standards at all competitions.