When was odyssey of the mind started

This competition was the first ever of its kind and Olympics of the Mind OM was born. As a result of popular demand, Creative Competitions, Inc. CCI was formed to produce and administer the program. It was in when the first teams from outside of New Jersey, including the first international teams — coming from Canada — participated. This was the first World Finals. Today, there are associations all around the world serving thousands of schools participating in Odyssey of the Mind.

Teams represent nearly every state in the US and approximately 25 other countries. Twenty thousand people travel to World Finals — teams, parents, coaches and volunteers; proving that creative thinking is universal and that OotM is the positive force that brings them together. Teams advance to the state tournament and then on to the World Tournament if they place 1st, 2nd, earn a Renatra Fusca award, or have a perfect score in either their Long Term problem, Spontaneous problem, or in the Style category.

Keeling started with one team and then grew to have as many as 5 teams one year. We are proud of how everyone who is interested in OM is able to participate.

Students with special needs, general education students, as well as students who are English Language Learners have been very successful in OM at Keeling. Making it to the World Finals is considered a major achievement in the Odyssey of the Mind. Exercises such as Odyssey of the Mind are a great way for students to think without self-imposed restrictions. Very often teachers struggle with students who decide whether they should or should not have questions and it is hard to encourage them to keep an open mind and attitude.

Odyssey of the Mind, or OM as it is known, encourages the idea that there is no easy right or wrong answer and it allows children a space to express themselves to try out ideas. Education and learning happens when children are away from worksheets and lesson plans and this is an instance of such a context. While there is much debate about the effect of competition on the psyche of young children, Odyssey of the Mind emphasizes the fun and team effort enough to counter impulses of excessive competition and aggression.

This makes it one of those safe avenues for children to explore creative new ideas and for interacting with other stimulating peers at multiple levels. There is an Odyssey Alumnus in every crowd. See who they are, learn more about their odyssey and join the club if you are an Odyssey Alumni! Skip to content. OM Communications Alert!

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