HOM Students  Encouraged To Use Creative Thinking For Problem Solving

By Laurie Borst

Parent volunteer Michelle Hankin is very animated talking about Odyssey of the Mind, the international program that encourages students to be creative problem solvers. For six months, five teams of first through fourth graders have been brainstorming ideas, writing scripts, building sets, and creating props. The parent-coaches are facilitators only, their task to encourage teamwork. The work is all the students’ own.

“The kids learned to work together and to build off each other’s ideas,” Mrs Hankin explained. “This shows the whole is greater than the parts.”

On March 30, the five teams will present their plays in an Odyssey of the Mind Showcase at 7 pm at Head O’ Meadow School. The Odyssey of the Mind organization provides a list of five problems for third and fourth graders as well as one “primary problem” for kindergarten through second graders.

Students create the storyline and write a script in which the problem is resolved. One of the teams is tackling the problem titled “Tag ‘Em” that asks the team to design, build, and run one, two, or three small vehicles that will make trips and get tagged within a tagging zone for score. Tags must be remotely placed on the vehicles.

Two teams are attempting the problem “Around the World in Eight Minutes.” In this problem, teams must create and present a performance that includes a “Traveler” character that visit three sites around the world. Two are actual places and the third is an undiscovered location devised by the team.

Two teams have worked on the “primary problem,” called “The Time Capsule.” The problem here revolves around a group of explorers who uncover a time capsule containing five items created by the team. The explorers try to figure out what the items are and how they are used.

The Odyssey of the Mind program offers a competition level. The students are not participating in the competition but following the same format. If the school took part in the competition, the teams would be given “spontaneous problems” that have to be addressed on the spot.

The students had to learn to work with time constraints and stay within a budget. They quickly learned the value of using recycled items.

The youngsters gathered in the Head O’ Meadow cafeteria on the afternoon of March 13 were very excited about their work, each one anxious to share his or her thoughts on the projects.

“In Odyssey, we get to make stuff, draw, and have fun,” said first grader Mckenzie Iazzetta. “I liked making the tiger and caveman costumes. We got to do it all ourselves.”

First grader Rhett Saunders echoed Mckenzie’s sentiments. “You get to use your imagination and the kids make the decisions.”

“I enjoyed it a lot,” said Robert Murray, another first grader. He added, in true showman style, “The play’s going to be really good.”

Robert added, “You have to be a good listener and confident about what your goal is.”

“I like working in a group and using creativity to try to make something. Making props and background was fun,” offered Jesse Sailer, a fourth grader.

One of the first grade teams was coached by Sue Murray and Sharon Saunders.

“We are very proud of these children. It’s been a real terrific journey for all of us. As a parent, you’re inclined to sometimes take over with kids. Kids just need a little thinking room,” Mrs Murray stated. “They have the energy and creativity to make it awesome. This has been a wonderful experience. We are very proud.”