WMS Odyssey of the Mind team preparing for World Finals in Iowa

By Masha Yurkevich

Creative problem solving is an important part of everyday life that we are not always taught at school. However, Windham Middle School (WMS) Odyssey of the Mind students are working on creative problem-solving skills that will help them later in their life. After competing in the Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament, the team placed first in their division, which qualified them for an invitation to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University from May 27 to May 30.

Windham Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind team who
will participate in the World Finals at Iowa state University
later this month are, from left, sixth grader Byrn Johnson,
eighth grader Fynnleigh Mayo, eighth grader Charlie
Johnson, eighth grader Devon Yates, sixth grader Cora
Miller and eighth grader Colin Miller.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program in which team members present their solution to a predefined long-term problem at a competition that spans many months and involves writing, design, construction, and theatrical performance,” says Rebecca Miller, the coach of this team. “A spontaneous portion of the competition also has the team generating solutions to a problem they have not seen before. Creative problem-solving, perseverance, critical thinking, compromise, and teamwork skills are honed to make this experience successful and beneficial for skills applicable to their future careers.”

Placing first in their division Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament was a very pleasant surprise for the team, given that they had also received an Omer Award for passing on a positive spirit by making and wearing clothes pins that they made.

While Miller is the coach, everything must be student created.

“I am more of the organizer, while the students are the ones who use the saws, nails, screws, and assemble everything on their own,” she said.

Team member Fynnleigh Mayo has been in Odyssey of the Mind for nine years.

“I started in kindergarten and have so much fun every year that I continue to do it. I am very excited for Iowa because of pin trading and competing with other teams from all around the world,” he says.

His teammates have experience too.

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for around five years, and I joined because I wanted to find a fun activity that would work my mind and be able to have fun with friends,” says Charlie Johnson. “I have been to World Finals before, and one of my favorite things was pin trading. I got to interact with lots of cool people and got to get many really cool pins from all over the place. I really recommend that people join Odyssey. It is a super fun and creative brain workout and can help you with things like teamwork, thinking creatively, and working with your hands.”

Cora Miller has been in Odyssey of the Mind since she was in kindergarten.

“It started when my brother had joined Odyssey of the Mind, and he came home talking about a cool project that he and his team did. Being able to compete against teams from all around the world is an awesome experience.”

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for five years, and I joined to build and create with my friends,” says Bryn Johnson. “I really love the pin trading in Odyssey, but my favorite thing is meeting teams from across the world and seeing other performances.”

Devon Yates joined Odyssey of the Mind in second grade and has been a part of it for six years.

“I joined because I had spent years watching my siblings compete and could not wait for the day I could take part, too. In Iowa, I am most excited to meet all the new people and make connections with everyone. I am so thankful for all the community support we have had to help us get ready for this trip; We are so excited to represent Windham at Worlds.”

The community has truly been a big support in assisting this team. However, they still need some help.

"To interact on a World stage with teams from all over the world is truly amazing," says Miller.

But it is also expensive. 

There have been ongoing fundraisers throughout the year to help with different Odyssey of the Mind finances, and there are more coming up. The Odyssey of the Mind team would be grateful to receive donations, gift cards, mileage points for hotel or car rentals, items for our trip, future fundraising events, or raffles, or to match funds raised at one of their upcoming events.

To donate to help the team, contact Rebecca Miller at 207-892-1840 x2460 or send an email to [email protected]. <

Windham Odyssey of the Mind team earns a spot in world finals

By Jolene Bailey

Coming in first place in their division, Windham Primary School and Manchester’s combined Odyssey of the Mind team participated in the Nor’easter Tournament at Sanford High School on March 25, landing them invitations to the World Finals.

Windham's combined Odyssey of the Mind team made up
of students from Windham Primary School and Manchester
School won their division in the state competition at
Sanford High School and qualified to compete in the 
World Finals in Michigan in May. From left are Colin
Miller, Ava Rhoads, Cora Miller, Omer the Odyssey Mascot,
Marin Miele, Bryn Johnson, Fynnleigh Mayo, and Celia
Johnson. SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Odyssey of the Mind’s purpose is to educate all students how to use and develop their pure creativity to solve problems of any kind without fear or high confusion. When competing, the team’s goal is to fit all the required pieces into an eight-minute performance skit. From making props, to coming up with lines, teams do it all by themselves.

During practice, students learn and work on their teamwork and being a quick thinker. The strategy of being fast helps them in the long run with verbal and hands-on spontaneous problem solving.

Windham Primary School’s third graders and Manchester School’s fourth and fifth grades had formed a team of seven members to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. The seven student members range in age from 8 to 11.

During these competitions, students can gain a sense of self confidence while grasping an emphasis on public speaking, teamwork, and time management, all of which are important skills, despite their age.

“They performed in the gym in front of a table of judges and audience. Once they completed their performance, we watched some other teams compete that had the same problem as them as well as some other problems. These kids always like seeing what other teams come up with,” said Windham coach Rebecca Miller, who runs this Odyssey of the Mind engaged team and guided their success in their division at the state competition.

Miller said that coaching the team was an enjoyable experience.

“I personally am really connected to this team, other than the fact that two of my kids are on it, I've coached most of them since first grade. So, they've been together and grown quite a bit as a team,” said Miller.

This is Miller’s sixth year coaching in Odyssey of the Mind. Before her, three Windham teams in the past qualified for the world finals. This year’s team will be the fourth.

“The best part of coaching is supporting them through problem solving and watching the super creative solutions they come up with. I can't offer any outside assistance, so what they come up with is all on their own,” said Miller.

With an experienced coach to lead them, this team has shown progress from as early as last year.

“The kids had high hopes as they got third place last year. This year, they were really anxious,” Miller said. “When they called third place, then second place, our stomachs were definitely in knots. When they announced we got first place, I was definitely crying tears of pride - they earned it.”

We all face decision-making every day and sometimes without even realizing it. Solving problems is a skill that anyone at any age has to conquer. For this team to be fully able to attend and participate in the world finals, $14,000 has to be raised for travel expenses, transportation, and registration for the team itself and chaperones.

Windham Primary School has supplied members with registration, t-shirts, and family participation. To raise money, the team has hosted a movie night and a community raffle to help reach their goal. Moving forward, they’re planning to host another movie night and more raffles and a color dash.

“These are ultimately community events that we look forward to having regularly to engage families in school all while raising some money to continue to support Odyssey of the Mind,” said Miller.

Since meetings back in November, this team has formed many bonds and memories in hopes to make it where they are today. Located at Michigan State University, the 2023 World Championships for Odyssey of the Mind will be May 24 to May 27.

To help the team through a donation, checks can be sent to Windham Primary School, Educational Way, Windham, ME 04062, or by sending an email to [email protected] <