“ The principles of Odyssey can be used effectively with any aspect of the curriculum and in any school setting , including public , private , charter or home school .”
great idea and someone else expands on it or adds to it ,” Rosati explains .
Nimick agrees and notes that no one on the team is more important that anyone else .
The program also rewards risk-taking , albeit within safety limits . Sometimes , solutions fail on the day of the competition , but winning isn ’ t the goal . “ The thinking process is what ’ s rewarded , not just the end result ,” Rosati explains . “ It ’ s not an atmosphere of failure .”
Nimick remembers how one student was grinning ear-to-ear even though his team ’ s engineering project collapsed immediately at the start of the competition : “ He was overjoyed at total failure .”
Although it is a competition , the focus isn ’ t on beating the other teams . Angela Melton , co-director of the western region and from Moon , recounts how a rival team once helped a group from Moon after they got lost . “ We didn ’ t know where to go , but they took it upon themselves to help us ,” she says .
Odyssey of the Mind is inclusive and encourages students with different skills to participate . “ No matter your strength or talent , any student can be involved ,” Melton notes .
Students who participate are encouraged to pursue divergent thinking , not just creativity . Divergent thinking is when you take a pencil and make it into something completely different ,” explains Melton .
Nimick has seen several examples where Odyssey of the Mind helped students blossom . In one particular instance , a special needs student made remarkable improvements while participating in the program . “ She went from being very withdrawn and shy to being willing to take a risk ,” he recounts . The final competition also attracts international teams and it ’ s an excellent opportunity for students to make new friends . Melton remembers how a team from Russia stayed in Pittsburgh after competing in the final event . They swam in the local swimming pool and exchanged gifts with American students .
“ It ’ s an experience none of those kids or families will ever forget ,” she says . “ Russia is in the news a lot , but that never entered into the picture . It was a great exchange of lifestyles and information .” ■
» For more information , visit wpaodyssey . org . any assistance from coaches or judges . Nimick and Rosati hope more teams will participate every year , but they also need more coaches and judges . You don ’ t have to be a technical expert to supervise a team . Having a teacher who enthusiastically supports Odyssey of the Mind is also important .
“ You just need to care about the kids and mentor them ,” explains Rosati , who is from Upper St . Clair .
Coaches have to be willing to let students figure things out on their own , even if that means watching them fail . “ When you figure out how to coach without assisting , you see the real genius of the kids ,” Nimick says .
Odyssey of the Mind also emphasizes teamwork rather than individual achievement . “ Someone might have a
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