OSU to host Odyssey of the Mind state finals

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Oklahoma State University’s Institute for Creativity and Innovation (ICI) is hosting on Saturday the state finals of the Odyssey of the Mind creative problem-solving competition for the first time in the history of the 33-year event. More than 350 students from across the state, ranging from kindergartners to high school seniors, will converge on Stillwater for a day of performances and problem solving.

The competition features teams of up to seven students who work together to present an eight-minute, creative solution to one of five competitive long-term problems. Each problem requires a combination of performance, technical, and artistic skills – and student teams must develop their solutions entirely on their own. Adults can teach skills, such as sewing, carpentry, or acting, but cannot advise students on how to solve problems or assist with the actual construction or performance of the solution. At competition, student teams also solve a short spontaneous problem that they have never seen before.

“ICI firmly believes that society’s success depends on creative solutions to the big and little problems facing us now and in the future,” said Melanie Page, professor of psychology and director of the Institute for Creativity and Innovation in the School of Entrepreneurship in the Spears School of Business. “Partnering with Odyssey of the Mind enables us to encourage creativity among future Cowboys and Cowgirls and fulfill our land-grant mission of developing the capacity of all Oklahoma citizens to take creative ideas to creative action.”

The problems that the students encounter will feature a mix of reality and whimsical ideas. This year’s Odyssey of the Mind problems will challenge teams to:

•  Construct a ride-on vehicle with two unique propulsion systems that also displays three different “ooh-motional” reactions to team-created situations;
• Use NASA Earth Observatory photographs to inspire an original performance about a team of scientists who study a strange phenomenon using a team-created device;
• Select a specific comedic style to convey a team-created take on Hamlet’s famous “to ____ or not to _____” conundrum;
• Build a structure using only balsa wood and glue that will support a maximum amount of weight. Lighter structures will receive extra points for the weight held, and the team must also create a device that demonstrates a mathematical function;
• Develop an original performance in which two “Odyssey Angels” visit different team-created communities and turn negative situations into positive ones. The problem references the Odyssey Angels program, which encourages teams to find unique ways to help their communities.

“It’s exciting to be partnering with OSU,” said Karen Evans, president of Oklahoma Odyssey of the Mind. While several universities statewide have hosted Odyssey of the Mind regional and state tournaments since Oklahoma fielded its first teams in 1979, neither of Oklahoma’s two major state universities have ever hosted the competition.

The new OSU Student Union and the Classroom Building will house most of the problems. “We couldn’t ask for better facilities, and the central location is perfect given the geography of our teams,” said Evans.

Teams that have qualified for the state competition includes those from schools in Edmond, Jenks, Oklahoma City, Owasso, Piedmont, Sallisaw, Stillwater and Yukon. Several charter and homeschool organizations in central and northeast Oklahoma are also fielding teams.

The top two teams in each problem and age group will earn the chance to compete against teams from across the United States and from 25 other countries at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals competition at Iowa State University in May. Oklahoma teams have historically fared well at World Finals, and for three straight years, three separate Oklahoma teams have placed in the top six, an honor that is announced during the closing ceremony each year.

In addition to the support from ICI, Mitch Kilcrease, director of the OSU Student Union, has been instrumental in bringing this event to OSU.

Reporters are welcome to attend the competition. Upon request, local contacts for teams participating in the competition can also be made available. Please direct coverage inquiries to Deborah Ausman via email (auswoman@princomm.com) or phone (405-612-4728). For more information on the Odyssey of the Mind program in Oklahoma, visit the state website at https://sites.google.com/site/oklahomaom/.