Two teams of students from WES competed in the Odyssey of the Mind competition on Saturday, March 1 at Mohonasen High School. This is the first year that Watervliet has participated in the odyssey program and both teams performed well! Our teams began working on their problems in December, meeting three times a week after school. The teams were scored for their long-term problem solution, how well they solved a "spontaneous" problem on the spot, and "style" -- the elaboration of their long-term problem solution. Scroll down to see pictures of the teams in action!

Mrs. Suedkamp's Team:

Mrs. Suedkamp's team competes in the primary division and is made up of first and second graders.

Problem: Rude Awakenings
This problem requires teams to create and present a humorous performance that includes a character that keeps waking up in a different time and/or place from where it fell asleep. This will happen at least three times before the character returns to where it started and something or someone stops the character from "traveling" in its sleep. The performance will also include a pet, a helpful character, and narration.

Team members:

Alex Weihrich, Bethany Livsey, Meghan Murray, Patrick Ethier, Ariyanna Bancraft, LeJon Kelley-Duso, Hannah Linacre.

Mrs. Bird's Team:

Mrs. Bird's team competed in Division 1 and is made up of fourth and fifth graders.

Problem: DinoStories
What might have happened to the dinosaurs that existed so many years ago? In a humorous performance, teams will present their original theory of what caused the dinosaurs to become extinct. The performance will include a dinosaur, a replica of the same dinosaur, an animal that is not a dinosaur, and a technical simulation of the team's "extinction theory." At least part of the performance will take place in a setting from the Triassic, Jurassic, or Cretaceous periods.

Team members:

Rebecca Jones, Joseph Keller, Brianna Benacquista, Arsal Shah, Robert Brazee, Elaina MacNary, Emily Soroka

What is Odyssey of the Mind?

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.

How does it work?

Schools form teams of up to seven students. Each team chooses one of five competitive problems to solve. The problems appeal to a wide range of interests; some are technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance-oriented. Under the guidance of an adult coach, teams work on their solutions throughout the school year and, if they choose, present them in organized competitions in the spring. The "friendly" competitive aspect encourages students to be the best that they can be.

More information:

Capital Region BOCES Odyssey info

New York State Odyssey of the Mind

National Odyssey of the Mind

Mt. Popcornius, a vital prop for Mrs. Bird's Team's DinoStory

Students from Mrs. Suedkamp's team put some last minute touches on props and scenery

A students from Mrs. Suedkamp's team proudly displays his fox costume for the competition.

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