Owasso 8th Grade Odyssey World Competition
Donation protected
In September 2018, I was approached by five amazing 8th graders from Owasso, Oklahoma to coach them in a Worldwide Competition called Odyssey of the Mind . I had never heard of this program. I was sceptical. Also, I had never coached anything in my life!
As it turned out, this program is celebrating their 40th year of developing creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork by presenting technical problems to students to solve in a competition format. Intrigued, but still sceptical, I reluctantly agreed to a planning meeting.
That first meeting took place on September 17th, 2018. I cannot express how impressed I was with these kids. They wanted to tackle Problem 1.
Again, I was sceptical.
The challenge of Problem 1? No big deal, just create a unique script around the Odyssey mascot Omer, and his sidekick, where they must travel around to different designated areas of the competition stage on a unique vehicle that they must design/build and perform 3 specific "rescues" with 3 specific "actions" following 5 pages of rules. AND, this vehicle must be stored in two team-built "suitcases" not to exceed 62 inches in overall length+width+height. AND, Omer and his sidekick must BOTH ride on it without any part of their body touching the floor while travelling. AND, during the performance, the vehicle must be assembled, perform a rescue, then be disassembled and put back in the cases. AND, then it must be moved to another area and assembled again before the final rescue. AND, then there must be a Parade! AND, there will be costumes, props and backgrounds! AND, the props have to be setup/placed into the competition area AFTER time begins! AND.... AND... AND...
YOU. ONLY. HAVE. EIGHT. MINUTES!
I know, right?
Since that first meeting, this team of five future leaders has met 39 (and counting) times, combining for over 585 (and counting) hours in imagining, planning, scavenging, building, re-building, decorating, and competing at a high level.
The result? After advancing at the State Regional Competition in February, they arrived at the State Finals Competition on March 30th, 2019 ready to compete for the opportunity to represent Oklahoma at World Finals in Michigan.
AND, they WON 1st Place!
On behalf of myself, and their awesome parents, I can say without a doubt that they have definitely earned this amazing opportunity to compete with kids from all over the globe. We could not be more proud of them!
AND, as you might have guessed by now, THEY NEED YOUR HELP!
The School does not have a budget to support them. The cost of registration, lodging, meals, and transportation is more than parents can handle. The total cost for our Team members will exceed $5000.
Registration, Lodging and Meal Package at Michigan State University is $655 per person. Travel is currently estimated at $350 per person.
CAN YOU HELP?
Our goal is to raise an initial $3000 to cover our registration costs by the registration deadline of April 26th, 2019 then an additional $2000 to cover travel expenses by May 13th, 2019.
Thank You so much for your consideration! Any funds raised over the amount needed for our team will go into a Booster Club account to assist teams next year!
As it turned out, this program is celebrating their 40th year of developing creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork by presenting technical problems to students to solve in a competition format. Intrigued, but still sceptical, I reluctantly agreed to a planning meeting.
That first meeting took place on September 17th, 2018. I cannot express how impressed I was with these kids. They wanted to tackle Problem 1.
Again, I was sceptical.
The challenge of Problem 1? No big deal, just create a unique script around the Odyssey mascot Omer, and his sidekick, where they must travel around to different designated areas of the competition stage on a unique vehicle that they must design/build and perform 3 specific "rescues" with 3 specific "actions" following 5 pages of rules. AND, this vehicle must be stored in two team-built "suitcases" not to exceed 62 inches in overall length+width+height. AND, Omer and his sidekick must BOTH ride on it without any part of their body touching the floor while travelling. AND, during the performance, the vehicle must be assembled, perform a rescue, then be disassembled and put back in the cases. AND, then it must be moved to another area and assembled again before the final rescue. AND, then there must be a Parade! AND, there will be costumes, props and backgrounds! AND, the props have to be setup/placed into the competition area AFTER time begins! AND.... AND... AND...
YOU. ONLY. HAVE. EIGHT. MINUTES!
I know, right?
Since that first meeting, this team of five future leaders has met 39 (and counting) times, combining for over 585 (and counting) hours in imagining, planning, scavenging, building, re-building, decorating, and competing at a high level.
The result? After advancing at the State Regional Competition in February, they arrived at the State Finals Competition on March 30th, 2019 ready to compete for the opportunity to represent Oklahoma at World Finals in Michigan.
AND, they WON 1st Place!
On behalf of myself, and their awesome parents, I can say without a doubt that they have definitely earned this amazing opportunity to compete with kids from all over the globe. We could not be more proud of them!
AND, as you might have guessed by now, THEY NEED YOUR HELP!
The School does not have a budget to support them. The cost of registration, lodging, meals, and transportation is more than parents can handle. The total cost for our Team members will exceed $5000.
Registration, Lodging and Meal Package at Michigan State University is $655 per person. Travel is currently estimated at $350 per person.
CAN YOU HELP?
Our goal is to raise an initial $3000 to cover our registration costs by the registration deadline of April 26th, 2019 then an additional $2000 to cover travel expenses by May 13th, 2019.
Thank You so much for your consideration! Any funds raised over the amount needed for our team will go into a Booster Club account to assist teams next year!
Fundraising team: Omer to the Rescue! (6)
Larry Sang
Organizer
Owasso, OK
Peyton Dick
Team member
Alexia Sang
Team member
Liz Lake
Team member
Zerak Weems
Team member
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