Wise Odyssey of the Mind Final Competition!
Last week, all three of the Wise School Odyssey teams traveled to Iowa State University for the World Finals. The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals – three days of competition which started with an opening ceremony in Hilton Arena and was intertwined with a full itinerary of activities. Our teams observed world class performances, attended a creativity festival, and traded commemorative pins with kids from around the country and the world.
Similar to the regional and state competitions, teams presented their most refined version of their long-term solution, a problem they have worked on for the past nine months, plus were 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. This competition was at a very high level.
One of the highlights of the trip was a wonderful dinner where we all came together for Kabbalat Shabbat. Wise School teams and families showed amazing community spirit by supporting each other at their presentations and throughout the competition.
At the awards ceremony, tensions are always high, as everyone is eager to have a good result. 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. All of the teams at the ceremony received a world ranking that places them above hundreds of other teams around the globe. When the results came in, Wise School’s fifth-grade team placed seventeenth, our third-grade team placed seventh, and our fourth-grade team took second place in the world!
I am so proud of our outstanding kids, their supportive parents, and our dedicated coaching team. 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.
Mr Meth
Project Studio Teacher
& Odyssey of the Mind Program Coordinator