Odyssey of the Mind: Creativity in the Classroom

When asked to write a blog posting about Odyssey of the Mind, I immediately wanted to jump in and tell you a massive amount of information about the program. I wanted to delve into the point percentages teams can earn, describe the wonderful chaos that ensues on competition day, and the awe inspiring view of children, from various schools and backgrounds, coming together doing the chicken dance at the electrifying award ceremony. I could have and would have told you those things. However, the most important transformation that comes as a result of participating in Odyssey happens within the child. Children who participate in Odyssey will be challenged and changed socially, academically and creatively.

It needs to be said that Odyssey of the Mind (OotM) was first created by an engineering professor by the name of Dr. Sam Miklus. He was teaching a course when he presented a problem to his class: get across the lake without walking around it, getting wet or using a boat. He believed creativity could be taught to all students, just like any academic area. From that fateful day in 1978, spawned the world’s largest nonprofit creative problem solving competition. (The students did complete the task by means of a vessel called the Ranatura Fusca, but that’s another story…)

His belief about creativity has changed millions of lives. Students now have an outlet to think outside of the box in ways not typically allowed in conventional education and seldom hear the words, “you can’t do that.” In Odyssey, anything is possible.

I mentioned a child changes in three ways in OotM: socially, academically and creatively. This is evident in each child, even if the change is small. For me, I was involved since I was 8; I’m now in my 20’s (nice try!). Odyssey molded me into the person I am today and lit a fire inside that will never be able to be extinguished. That fire is started in every child the minute they enter the program.

Socially: This is one of the most obvious changes. Students are forced to work with team members. It is said over and over in OotM, “if one member of the team is stuck, the team is stuck.” Those words ring true in every aspect. They learn to work with differing personalities, through disagreements, and sometimes, arguments. They learn to listen and to lead. As they do this, they also become aware of their own unique strengths and weaknesses. This translates into their everyday lives; working with their peers, teammates and family. Some of the best friendships and strongest bonds I have ever had started in this program, and I’ve heard so many of the same stories shared.

Academically: The academic change in students involved in OotM evolves with their ability to think creatively. They begin to ask the “why” questions and have a thirst for more knowledge. They begin to try to figure things out when problems get hard and maintain perseverance when it seems there is no solution. Time-management skills gained translate directly into all academic areas. They become a more well-rounded student; able to be flexible and think on their toes. Can I guarantee they become a novelist or a math genius? No. I can guarantee they will start to view their subject areas, teachers, and peers in a new light.

Creatively: It goes without saying that a child is impacted creatively in Odyssey. They learn to ask the questions not asked by others. They start asking questions like, “you said we had to move the objects from one table to another, but can we move the tables?” or “Can we break the toothpicks?” I’ve seen children transform their thinking within a week’s time. When you take the word “no” out of the equation and instead say, “I didn’t say you couldn’t,” it unlocks a part of the brain begging to be heard. This may drive parents crazy. They start saying things like “You said I had to clear my plate, you didn’t say I couldn’t feed it to the dog.” Or “You said I had to go to bed, not that I couldn’t stay up and read in bed.” (Yes, I tried all these things.) As annoying as it may be at times, it truly is a beautiful thing to see your child change and become an independent thinker-free of all of life’s usual constraints.

Odyssey has changed me. I long to bring the passion I have to the next generation. Every student can benefit from the program, if they are willing to let it. Not every child is receptive. Some children simply struggle with the balance and pressure of time-management; crumble the first time they get in a disagreement with their friend or merely cannot listen to others’ opinions. In those cases, it may not be the perfect fit. But…does it have to be a perfect fit?