Sunday, December 21st, 2008
All five of our Middlesex Odyssey of the Mind Teams are now registered for the state-level competition - the CT Tournament - to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM, at Bethel Middle and High Schools in Bethel, CT. This year we have two Earth Trek Teams - A and B [vehicle problem], two Lost Labor of Heracles Teams A and B [literary classic problem]; and one Superstition Team [humorous performance problem]. During the CT Tournament each team will peform their problem with a script, costumes, props, etc. and compete in a spontaneous problem-solving competition. The teams always learn much and have so much fun doing it. The performances bring out the best in each student!
Friday, December 12th, 2008
Several Odyssey teams participated in the MMS Spontaneous Scrimmage this past Tuesday. It was a learning experience, and fun for all. Heather Shea, an experienced coach whose team actually went to the World Finals several years ago facilitated this event and prepared materials for six spontaneous problems so that each team could participate in each of them. The problems were either verbal, hands-on, or verbal and hands-on. Teams learned more about the different types of spontaneous problems, and also what they might need to work on to improve before the CTOM Spontaneous Scrimmage in Bethel, CT next February 28, 2009.
Monday, December 1st, 2008
On Tuesday, December 9, 2008, from 2:30 PM - 3:50 PM there will be a spontaneous scrimmage here in Middlesex Middle School classroom 138. All five MMS Odyssey of the Mind Teams will participate, and learn more about spontaneous problem-solving. Spontaneous problems will include verbal, hands-on, and verbal/hands-on. Experienced coaches from the past two years, Heather Shea andTisha Saffa, will be facilitating this scrimmage It should be fun for all!!!
Click here for some information about spontaneous problem-solving.
Monday, November 24th, 2008
All five MMS Odyssey of the Mind Teams participated in Odyssey Day this past Saturday with all students but one and all coaches in attendance. This is quite a feat - getting out of bed early on a Saturday morning to board a bus at 7:15 AM! The event was sponsored by CTOM, the state-level Odyssey of the Mind organization at the Johnson Elementary School in Bethel, CT, and included teams from the whole state of CT. The feedback is that the students had a lot of fun, and the bonding with their teams was a really great part of the experience.
During Odyssey Day students were engaged in skills-based workshops to help them learn more about how to solve their team problem. Each team went to three of the following fifty-minute workshops: Spontaneous, Be Seen and Heard! How to use sound, music, voice, projection and amplification, Everything you want to know but didn’t know you wanted to ask from a very experienced Coach, Vehicles, Creative Painting Techniques for Props and Flats, Trash to Treasure in Set Building, So many pins . . . So little time (pin trading), Creativity through Improvisation, There is no “I” in Team, Balsa 101, Great Performances Drama Kings and Queens, Prop Building/Scenery Making.
Check back for updates on the progress of the teams toward the solution of their problems and upcoming team events.
Friday, November 7th, 2008
On Saturday, November 22, 2008, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, students on the five Odyssey of the Mind teams and their coaches will have the opportunity to go to Bethel Middle School/High School to participate in workshops sponsored by CTOM. Students from schools all over the state of Connecticut will be there. Each team will go to three 50-minute workshops where they will learn some new skills to help them with their problem. The teams will choose the workshops based on what they need to learn — some of the workshops will help students learn how to build balsa structures, do theatrical improvisations, solve spontaneous problems, build a vehicle, etc. The day should be filled with much learning and fun as the students interact with teams from other schools.
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Odyssey of the Mind Teams will be begin meeting this week - except for the Lost Labor of Heracles, Team B - which has been meeting since September. It is going to be an exciting time for all. We actually have five teams now - two for Earth Trek, Team A and Team B, two for Lost Labor of Heracles, Team A and Team B, and one for Superstition.
Coaches attended a very thorough Coach Training this past Saturday which will help them get their teams off to a good start.
Please check back often to learn more about the progress of teams.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
This Saturday, October 25, 2008, Odyssey of the Mind coaches will attend a day of training sponsored by the Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind organization. The training will focus on why and how coaching an Odyssey of the Mind team is different than teaching other types of teams and strategies for success. In the afternoon coaches will be grouped by team for specific training related to each of the problems.
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Last year the Odyssey of the Mind Program had five teams participating with one team for each of the problems. This year there are five teams participating with two Earth Trek Teams [I & II] - Vehicle, two The Lost Labor of Hercules Teams [I & II] - Literary Classic, and one Supersitition Team - Humorous Performance [This team is still tentative, since although it has a full roster of members, it still needs a co-coach.]
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Students who are registering for a Odyssey of the Mind team should make sure to submit their applications to Ms. Cellini in Room 312 by Monday, September 22, 2008. Contact her if you have problems submitting your application, RCellini@darienps.org.
Parents who want to coach an Odyssey of the Mind team should also submit their applications to Ms. Cellini.
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Members of the Dinostories Team - Aastha N., Henry K., Tanner S., Lily S., Lila S., Izzy L., and Ali M. - had to present a humorous performance presenting an original theory about why the dinosaurs that exisited many years ago became extinct. The performance had to include a dinosaur, a replica of the dinosaur, an animal that is not a dinosaur, and a technical simulation of the team’s “extinction theory”. One part of the performance had to take place in a setting from the Triassic, Jurassic, or Cretaceous periods.
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Jay Patrick, Carolina Wetterauw, Colten Appleby, Cameron van de Graaf, and Nick Palmer designed, built, and operated an original Sports Car for their problem. The team had to drive their Sports Car to four checkpoints, and, at each, compete in a sport-related event. The team also developed a theme for their presentation.
Monday, September 29th, 2008
The Tee Structure Team was comprised of Reed M., Andrew M. Andrew F., Jack C., Haley O., Robert P., and Spencer M. Their problem was to design and build a structure using only balsa wood and glue. The team had to test the structure by having it support weights that are balanced on golf balls without touching anything else. Their score was based on the amount of weight the structure could hold. They also were required create a performance related to their structure.
Monday, September 29th, 2008
The Wonderful Muses Team members performing at the 2008 CT Tournament include Trevor M., Megan G., Nicole G., Caroline G., Natalie M., Carol F., and James F. The team’s problem was to create and present an original performance that includes one of the nine Greek muses. The Muse was to inspire two people during the performance. The team also had to create two original works in the Muse’s favored art form to include in the performance.
Friday, September 12th, 2008
There will be a Parent Information Meeting for parents who are interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind on Thursday September 18, 2008, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, in the Library Media Center at MMS. This meeting is also for parents who are interested in coaching one of this year’s Odyssey teams. We really need parents to step forward to coach or co-coach the student teams. Without coaches the program cannot go foward. Parents of last year’s students should attend the meeting also. If you cannot be there, but are interested in learning more about the program, please e-mail RCellini@darienps.org or telephone her at 203-655-6518, X1-3326.
This year’s Odyssey of the Mind Brochure with application forms can be accessed in the sidebar to the right.
Friday, September 12th, 2008
It was really exciting to see the number of students that showed up for the Odyssey of the Mind Student Information Meeting yesterday. The room was packed. Parents were there, too, to learn from last year’s students and coaches about the program. The representatives from each of last year’s five teams shared their experience and insight in the program. New interested students had so many great questions!
Friday, September 5th, 2008
There will be a Student Information Meeting for students interested in participating in Odyssey of the Mind this year on Thursday September 11, 2008, from 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM, in Room 312 at MMS. Last year’s students should attend the meeting also. If you cannot be there, but are interested in learning more about the program, please stop by and speak with Ms. Cellini in Room 312 or e-mail her at RCellini@darienps.org.
This year’s Odyssey of the Mind Brochure with application forms can be accessed in the sidebar to the right.
Monday, September 1st, 2008
Thenew 2008-2009 Odyssey of the Mind brochure is now available online by clicking on it in the sidebar to the right. A hardcopy version should also be arriving in your mailbox soon. It includes information about this year’s program and applications - one for students who want to sign up for a problem team, and one for parents who are interested in coaching a problem team.
Click on the 2007-2008 Testimonials page in the sidebar to the right to see how some of last year’s students felt about their Odyssey of Mind experience.
Monday, September 1st, 2008
Coming up soon are the first three meetings for this year’s Odyssey of the Mind Program:
Coaches Meeting:
On Thursday, September 4, 2008, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, a meeting will be held at Middlesex Middle School, Library Media Center, for parent coaches from last year. [Even if you are not coaching again this year, it would be great if you could attend!]
Student Information Meeting:
On Thursday, September 11, 2008, from 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM, a meeting will be held at Middlesex Middle School, Room 312, for students who are interested in participating in this year’s Odyssey of the Mind program. Students who participate in last year’s program should also attend.
Parent Information Meeting:
On Thursday, September 18, 2008, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, a meeting will be held at Middlesex Middle School, Library Media Center, for parents who desire to learn more about this year’s Odyssey of the Mind program and/or who are interested in coaching one of the Odyssey of the Mind student teams.
Contact RCellini@darienps.org for more information.
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
This website is in the process of being updated for the 2008-2009 Odyssey of the Mind program. Some information is already updated.
See the sidebar to the right for links to the new “2008-2009 Odyssey of the Mind Brochure with Applications for Student and Parents”, “Important Dates for Coaches”, and “Registration Deadlines” pages.
Check back in later in August 2008 for other updated information.
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
Are you a potential Odyssey kid? Want to see what our MMS teams did this year - stay afterschool on Thursday, April 3rd from 2:30 PM - 3:50 PM to watch presentations by all five Odyssey of the Mind student teams. Bring your parents! This presentation will be especially helpful for those students and parents who have an interest in participating in next year’s Odyssey of the Mind program. It will include videos and props of this year’s problems/projects that the students actually worked on. Students and parent-coaches will also be able to answer questions about the program. The presentation will take place in the Auditorium. For more information, contact Rosemary Cellini, RCellini@darienps.org.
