On March 25, five middle school teams competed in the Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament, and four out of the five teams placed in their division. The 8th-grade team earned 1st place in Classics…The Walls of Troy and the 7th-grade team came in 2nd place. One 6th-grade team came in 2nd for the vehicle problem, and another 6th-grade team came in 3rd for the performance problem. The teams that came in 1st and 2nd place qualify to attend World Finals.

These students have worked very hard over the last several months, and being invited to this competition is a great accomplishment.

The Odyssey of the Mind World Competition is being held at Michigan State University from May 24th – 28th. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational organization that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten to college.

Students work on long-term and spontaneous problems requiring dramatic presentations, creative props, structural devices, and verbal solutions. Participants build self-confidence and skills for life through problem-solving, creative thinking, and teamwork.

The program’s goal is to engage students in their learning. A unique aspect of Odyssey is that no one can provide assistance in the actual solution, including coaches; everything the team brainstorms, designs, creates and builds comes from their imagination and talent.

The 8th-grade team would love to compete at the World Finals this year. The goal is to pay for the transportation registration, room and board fees for the six students who will be attending.

If you would like to help to send these hardworking students to the competition, please use the following link: gorhamschools.revtrak.net/odyssey-of-the-mind-msu/, or a check may be sent to Danielle Quimby at Gorham Middle School, 106 Weeks Rd., Gorham, ME 04038. Please make checks payable to Gorham Middle School and note the donation will be used for the Odyssey of the Mind World Fund. You will be sent a letter documenting your tax-deductible contribution.