Odyssey of the Mind

About Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of The Mind (OotM) is a worldwide organization that promotes creativity, teamwork, endurance, problem solving, and ingenuity in all participants. It is open to all students grades 9 through 12. Tryouts are held in September or October to make a maximum of seven (7) students on each team. There are four teams at DVHS. The teams meet October through March after school, either at our campus directly after school in which case students may ride the late bus home or at the Dingman-Delaware or another DV campus in which other means of transportation must be arranged.

Teams will meet through April if they advance to State Finals and through late May if they advance to World Finals. Major activities are in the form of competitions, where students present an eight minute performance created within a set cost limit that solves a specific problem, and participate in a spontaneous competition where they must use their creativity skills on the fly to solve a "spontaneous problem."

Competitions

Regionals
This year's North East PA Regional competition was held at the Dingman-Delaware School Complex on Saturday, March 4, 2006. Teams that placed 1st or 2nd or received a Ranatra Fusca Award advanced to State Finals.

Click here to read the full story about regionals

State Finals
This year Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind State Finals was held at the Altoona Area High School and Roosevelt Junior High School, on Saturday, April 8, 2006. Teams that placed 1st or 2nd or received a Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award advanced to World Finals.

Click here for the PA State OotM Website

World Finals
This year's World Finals will be held at Iowa State University from May 24-May 27, 2005.

Click here for the International OotM Website

DVHS Teams & Problems

Problem 1: The Great Parade
Teams will design, build and drive a vehicle that will be used as three different floats in a parade. The vehicle will leave a Back Lot decorated as the first float, travel around a parade route and return to the Back Lot. There, it will change appearance into another float and travel the route again. It will repeat this one more time. One of the floats will have a technical feature. The parade will conclude with a Spectacular Celebration, which will also include a technical feature. The team will create a theme for its parade and include a featured character in its presentation.
Cost limit: $145 USD.
Coach: Mr. Llewellyn
Ryan B.
Steve B.
Brigette I.
Sarah M.
Eric N.
Mike O.
Rob P.
Regionals Rank: 3rd, Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award
State Finals Rank: 3rd, Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award

Problem 2: Tech Transfer
This problem requires teams to create and present an original performance that includes the use of a technical device that extends into different areas to move items. The team will design, build and operate the device, and create the items. The team will integrate the moving of the items into its performance.
Cost limit: $145 USD.
Coach: Mr. Fazzino
Mackenzie G.
Kristyn G.
Megan G.
Kara Lee M.
Sam M.
Kaelyn S.
Regionals Rank: 1st
State Finals Rank: 7th

Problem 3: Classics ... Ancient Egypt
For this problem, teams will create and present an original performance that includes a scene that takes place in ancient Egypt. The presentation must include a pharaoh, king, or queen, and ancient Egyptian works of art or artifacts created by the team. The performance will also include a humorous explanation about the construction of an architectural structure from ancient Egypt.
Cost limit: $125 USD.
Coaches: Mrs. Charity, Mrs. Dean
Kellsey C.
Bill D.
Lauren D.
Pat H.
Nick M.
Erin M.
Joee S.
Regionals Rank: 2nd
State Finals Rank: 3rd

Problem 4: Geometry Structure
The team's problem is to design and build a structure of balsa wood and glue. The team will build geometric shapes into the structure&'s design and attach colored paper to the shapes. The type and number of required shapes varies according to division. The team will test the structure for its ability to balance and support as much weight as possible. The team's stage set will include some type of replica of the structure.
Cost limit: $125 USD.
Coach: Ms. Montemuro
Dustin B.
Jaclyn B.
Richard C.
Brittany N.
Matt N.
Katlin S.
Liz W.
Regionals Rank: 1st
State Finals Rank: 2nd

DVHS Teams at World Finals

2005-06

Vehicle Team: The Great Parade
Ryan B., Steve B., Brigette I.*, Sarah M., Eric N., Mike O., Robert P.
Coaches: Mr. Llewellyn
Regionals: 3rd Place, Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award
States: 3rd Place, Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award

Structure Team: Geometry Structure
Dustin B., Jaclyn B.*, Richard C., Brittany N., Matt N., Katlin S., Liz W.
Coaches: Ms. Montemurro
Regionals: 1st Place
States: 2nd Place

2004-05

Vehicle Team: Stunt Mobiles
Ryan B., Steve B., Brigette I., Sarah M., Mike O., Steve P.*, Nate W.
Coaches: Mr. Llewellyn, Ms. Schneck
Regionals: 1st Place
States: 2nd Place
Worlds: 4th Place

Classics Team: Get the Message?
Kelsey C., Lauren D., Anthony E., John J.*, Nick M., Erin M., Joee S.
Coaches: Mrs. Charity, Mrs. Dean
Regionals: 2nd Place
States: 1st Place
Worlds: 15th Place

2003-04

Vehicle Team: Envirover
Ryan B., John B.*, Kelly M.*, Debbie M.*, Mike O., Steve P., Nate W.
Coaches: Mr.* & Mrs.* Millard
Regionals: 1st Place
States: 1st Place
Worlds: 12th Place, Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award

The 2003-04 DVHS Vehicle team became the first team in the history of Delaware Valley School District Odyssey of the Mind to walk on stage at the World Finals level, winning the prestigious Ranatra Fusca creativity award at the 25th Anniversary of OotM World Finals at the University of Maryland. Ten teams or individuals out of the approximately 765 competing teams were given the award for exhibiting remarkable creativity. At right is the hydraulic-powered Ranatra Fusca winning vehicle.