The Caroline G. Atkinson fifth-and sixth-grade Odyssey of the mind teams, under the direction of Geraldine LaPenne and Christina Schwarz, recently advanced to the New York State Competition. The fifth-grade team competed in Division I and placed first in the region and second in New York State. The sixth-grade team competed in Division II and placed second in the region.
Both teams competed in Problem 5 for their divisions, which was entitled "Superhero Socks: A Cliffhanger Beginning." To help fully understand the problem, the students brainstormed ideas about what it means to be a hero, and how to create a captivating cliffhanger. Students also became well-versed in incorporating puns into their scripts, as well as integrating visual and performance arts in their storylines. From character development to script writing to understanding the role that setting plays in the plot, students utilized their ELA skills in a creative way to solve their problem.
Both were invited to the World's Competition which is a virtual event for the 2020-2021 school year. Both teams have been granted an invite to the World's Competition.
Congratulations to the fifth grade team members Devaneese Baez-Thornton, Deliana Batista Rosario, Kassandra Cazares, Samantha Francois, Emelyn Torres Morales, Sabrina Turcios, Valentina Umana and sixth grade team members Emma Ascencio, Abigail Beauford, Delaney Hollingsworth, Jenae Omel, Jennifer Rivera-Hernandez, Victoria Valentin.