Laing Odyssey of the Mind Worlds
Donation protected
Excitement struck when on March 19 six seventh-grade students from Laing Middle School won the Vehicle Problem at the 2016 Odyssey of the Mind State Competition in Charleston. Now they navigate to the World Competition at Iowa State University in May and need your help!
Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. OM teams apply their creative skills to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to creating new interpretations of literary classics. Teams present their solutions in competitions at the local and state level, and the winners of those contests assemble for a final world-level competition. The World Event is attended by thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries.
This mixed-gender, multinational (our six team members represent three nationalities), and multilingual (collectively, our team speaks five languages) team mirrors 21st century think tanks in careers and workplaces: problem-solvers who demonstrate not only in the classroom but also very soon on a world stage the kind of competitive spirit and skill that makes them role models for their peers and adults alike.
OM, particularly the vehicle problem, hones highly marketable skills that are central to Laing’s STEM initiative that encourages middle school students to consider STEM-related careers through experiences such as the following:
· Working within budgetary, time, and space limitations.
· Analyzing scoring criteria to prioritize problem elements, such as designing vehicle and propulsion systems.
· Solving real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
· Developing an understanding that engineers need to communicate effectively as individuals and members of a team.
· Designing, testing and building systems, components, or processes to meet desired needs within realistic constraints as they relate to vehicles, tracks, propulsion systems, obstacles, etc.
Transportation, accommodation, and meal costs for the Laing team, coaches, and chaperones to attend the World Finals are approximately $10,000. Grant funds, corporate contributions, and individual donations are being sought to make their attendance possible. Preparation for this opportunity has taken place over six months and the World Competition lasts for four days straight.
Help support this worthy cause. Reward these students who have dedicated countless hours of critical-thinking, problem-solving, and practice simply for the love of the game!
Please write checks payable to Laing Middle School. Thank you for your generosity.
Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. OM teams apply their creative skills to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to creating new interpretations of literary classics. Teams present their solutions in competitions at the local and state level, and the winners of those contests assemble for a final world-level competition. The World Event is attended by thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries.
This mixed-gender, multinational (our six team members represent three nationalities), and multilingual (collectively, our team speaks five languages) team mirrors 21st century think tanks in careers and workplaces: problem-solvers who demonstrate not only in the classroom but also very soon on a world stage the kind of competitive spirit and skill that makes them role models for their peers and adults alike.
OM, particularly the vehicle problem, hones highly marketable skills that are central to Laing’s STEM initiative that encourages middle school students to consider STEM-related careers through experiences such as the following:
· Working within budgetary, time, and space limitations.
· Analyzing scoring criteria to prioritize problem elements, such as designing vehicle and propulsion systems.
· Solving real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
· Developing an understanding that engineers need to communicate effectively as individuals and members of a team.
· Designing, testing and building systems, components, or processes to meet desired needs within realistic constraints as they relate to vehicles, tracks, propulsion systems, obstacles, etc.
Transportation, accommodation, and meal costs for the Laing team, coaches, and chaperones to attend the World Finals are approximately $10,000. Grant funds, corporate contributions, and individual donations are being sought to make their attendance possible. Preparation for this opportunity has taken place over six months and the World Competition lasts for four days straight.
Help support this worthy cause. Reward these students who have dedicated countless hours of critical-thinking, problem-solving, and practice simply for the love of the game!
Please write checks payable to Laing Middle School. Thank you for your generosity.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristen Jacksa
Organizer
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Melvin Goodwin
Beneficiary
