Increase student ability to apply known principles and facts to “hands-on” situations.
Improve communication skills.
Learn how to use a creative problem solving process.
Develop and utilize skills of all team members.
Develop and use local resources.
Develop and use research skills.
Exercise and use the higher order thinking and critical thinking skills, especially analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
Have fun while learning all of these very important skills.
Rationale for Participation:
Participation in Odyssey of the Mind provides the student with both cognitive and affective experiences.
Students are challenged to develop their critical thinking potential and their divergent thinking skills through creative problem solving.
They are encouraged to plan, organize and set long-range goals.
During this process, they gain sensitivity and experience with group dynamics.
Learning to take risks allows the students to become more self-confident and independent thus making successes and defeats easier to place in perspective.
Experiences with OotM problems prepare students to solve real-life problems using specific skills and behaviors.