Questar III’s Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament is being held Saturday, March 9 at Rensselaer City School District. The tournament consists of 76 teams from schools in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties. With over 600 students participating, it one of the largest tournaments Questar III BOCES has ever organized.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international program with a mission to teach students how to solve problems creatively. It encourages them to use their imagination and learn the importance of working as a team.
“This tournament is always a wonderful culmination for students of many months of hard work, brainstorming and creative problem solving as a team,” said tournament coordinator Arlene Sampson. ”Many students discover for the first time that they can really speak in front of an audience, or paint a backdrop or build a structure that holds hundreds of pounds. These are skills they will use for the rest of their lives. It is rewarding to know that the Odyssey of the Mind program can have such an impact,” she added.
Registration for the daylong competition begins at 7:30 a.m. and performances are from 8:10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m.
In order to assure that all participants, their families and friends will have a safe and enriching Odyssey experience, please note the following:
Parking: Due to limited parking, shuttle buses will be available every 20 minutes from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Shuttles will be running to the CDTA parking lot on Route 4 and Carmela’s Banquet House on Washington Avenue. After 1 p.m., shuttles will also be making stops at Doane Stuart on Washington Avenue.
Food: This year there will be a new food service option with Omer’s Food Court. Luncheon items ranging from Chili, salad, pizza and sandwiches will be provided by three or four local vendors in the elementary cafeteria and sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, the Rensselaer Athletic Association will be providing a full range of snack items (pizza, burgers, ice cream) and beverages from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only cash will be accepted for these items so please prepare accordingly.
Weather: In case of inclement weather, the tournament will either be delayed or be held Sunday, March 10. Please check local radio and TV stations for an announcement.
Special Guest: Odyssey of the Mind mascot, Omer, will be appearing once again at this year’s program. Remember to bring your camera to take a picture with Omer!
Each team has been challenged to create original and creative ways to solve one of the following open-ended questions:
Pet Project
The problem is to design, build, and run three vehicles that will deliver parts to an Assembly Area. The team will create a signal that lets the audience know which vehicle is about to travel and deliver a part.
The Email Must Go Through
The team’s problem is to create and present an original performance that includes a technical representation of messages being sent by email.
ARTchitecture: The Musical
For this problem, teams will create and present an original performance that includes a replica of a documented architectural structure that was built between 1,000 AD and 1,600 AD.
Tumble-wood
Teams will design and build a structure made of only balsa wood and glue that will balance and support as much weight as possible.
It’s How You Look at It
The problem is to create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally — to them — but odd to those around them.
Top Sea-cret Discoveries
(K-2 Teams only) The problem is to create and present a performance that includes exploring the ocean and making discoveries.
Contact Arlene Sampson, tournament coordinator, at 518-479-6843 or asampson@questar.org for more information.
