Two Odyssey of the Mind teams from the Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School entered into regional competition and came out with second place for the sixth-grade team and honorable mention for the fifth graders. "We are so proud of our teams. Ms. Schwarz and Ms. Frederick provided the students with an excellent foundation for creative thinking, thus preparing them for the next level of competition at the middle and high school levels, respectively," Principal Linda Carter stated.
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program that challenges students to work as a team as they present their solution to a pre-defined problem in a competitive environment. Both teams from Atkinson are comprised of seven students each and are coached by sixth-grade teachers Carrie Frederick and Christina Schwarz. Student team members were chosen based on stage presence, overall interest and enthusiasm for the club, sense of creativity, and the ability to "think outside of the box." Once the teams were set in early October, the club met every Wednesday after school, during which time the students brainstormed ideas and created their own skits, scenery and costumes that would best present their problem-solving strategies.
"While we didn't take home the first-place trophy, the fun and experience of the competition was rewarding in itself," Ms. Schwarz said.
"Our students showed incredible dedication and the ability to transfer previous knowledge to new situations for innovative solutions," Ms. Frederick added.
