A talented group of creative problem-solvers at Cloverdale’s Don Christian Elementary is about to embark on a true Odyssey of the mind.
Their journey will involve travel and the promise of unknown problems to contend with that could possibly throw them off course if they aren’t prepared.
Their team, made up of Grade 5 and 6 students, is one of 12 to represent Canada in Iowa State University at the 2016 Odyssey of the Mind World Competition.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international education program that provides creative problem solving opportunities for students from Kindergarten to post secondary. Teams work in collaboration to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to interpreting literary classics. They bring their solutions to local, provincial, and the world level. Later this month, thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and 25 international countries including Canada will participate.
Their team placed first in the problem category for their age division, securing a berth at the worlds.
The six students on the team meet once a week to problem-solve, and together build their project – based on the theme No-Cycle Recycle. They presented their project – in a creative skit/performance format – in April.
In Iowa, along with presenting their provincial-winning project, they’ll also have to come up with an answer to a problem they’ve never seen before. It’s a situation that will favour sportsmanship and cooperation.
“The idea is for the team to often work together,” says parent Joanne Howe.
They’ll have their parents along for moral support. Meantime, the team is fundraising to help with travel costs. A GoFundMe.org page has been set up to facilitate those efforts.
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