To promote divergent thinking, team-work skills, and self-confidence in the youth of Maine by providing them the opportunity to participate in creative problem solving through the Odyssey of the Mind Program.
As the largest creative problem solving program in the state, OotM fosters a comprehensive and holistic educational experience to its participants, introducing students to tangible aspects of education – art, music, drama, history, engineering, math, architecture and beyond. Kids also learn the crucial 21st century skills; an understanding of global awareness, intellectual curiosity, interpersonal and collaborative skills, communication, problem solving, critical and creative thinking, self-direction, authentic assessment, accountability and adaptability. Its scope of interest assures that “no creative child is left behind.”
“High stakes testing, like that called for under ‘No Child Left Behind’, has diminished the teaching of creative thinking skills in the classroom as teachers face increased pressure to teach to the test,” according to OotM State Co-Director Fern Brown. “Odyssey fills the creativity void. In Odyssey, students use divergent thinking skills, coming up with many and unique solutions. They will develop the answers to tomorrow’s problems.”
In an era of cutbacks and budget reductions at the local and state levels, communities have turned to OotM. In the past year alone, Maine’s Odyssey of the Mind participation has grown by 25%, representing a total of 60 member schools and organizations from Kittery to Limestone.
“As school administrators fight to balance budgets and teachers look for new ways to fulfill student needs, Odyssey continues to be an attractive and affordable alternative to districts that feel they are running out of options when it comes maintaining a high-quality education,” says OotM State Communication Director Jason Wheeler. “Odyssey is entirely run through the work of hundreds of parent and teacher volunteer’s who have seen first hand the kind of impact this program can and will have on their kids.”
Maine Adventures in Creativity (MAC), the Maine affiliate of Odyssey of the Mind, was formed in direct response to the expressed desire of many young people in the state to participate in the Odyssey of the Mind creative problem-solving program. It is comprised of many experienced and dedicated volunteers who are committed to providing team members with the challenge, interest and depth found in the Odyssey of the Mind program. We are an incorporated 501-c3 organization, licensed to oversee this program in Maine. For more information, log on to www.meodyssey.org or contact Jason Wheeler at wheelerfc@hotmail.com.
ABOUT
Mission Statement:
To promote divergent thinking, team-work skills, and self-confidence in the youth of Maine by providing them the opportunity to participate in creative problem solving through the Odyssey of the Mind Program.
As the largest creative problem solving program in the state, OotM fosters a comprehensive and holistic educational experience to its participants, introducing students to tangible aspects of education – art, music, drama, history, engineering, math, architecture and beyond. Kids also learn the crucial 21st century skills; an understanding of global awareness, intellectual curiosity, interpersonal and collaborative skills, communication, problem solving, critical and creative thinking, self-direction, authentic assessment, accountability and adaptability. Its scope of interest assures that “no creative child is left behind.”
“High stakes testing, like that called for under ‘No Child Left Behind’, has diminished the teaching of creative thinking skills in the classroom as teachers face increased pressure to teach to the test,” according to OotM State Co-Director Fern Brown. “Odyssey fills the creativity void. In Odyssey, students use divergent thinking skills, coming up with many and unique solutions. They will develop the answers to tomorrow’s problems.”
In an era of cutbacks and budget reductions at the local and state levels, communities have turned to OotM. In the past year alone, Maine’s Odyssey of the Mind participation has grown by 25%, representing a total of 60 member schools and organizations from Kittery to Limestone.
“As school administrators fight to balance budgets and teachers look for new ways to fulfill student needs, Odyssey continues to be an attractive and affordable alternative to districts that feel they are running out of options when it comes maintaining a high-quality education,” says OotM State Communication Director Jason Wheeler. “Odyssey is entirely run through the work of hundreds of parent and teacher volunteer’s who have seen first hand the kind of impact this program can and will have on their kids.”
Maine Adventures in Creativity (MAC), the Maine affiliate of Odyssey of the Mind, was formed in direct response to the expressed desire of many young people in the state to participate in the Odyssey of the Mind creative problem-solving program. It is comprised of many experienced and dedicated volunteers who are committed to providing team members with the challenge, interest and depth found in the Odyssey of the Mind program. We are an incorporated 501-c3 organization, licensed to oversee this program in Maine. For more information, log on to www.meodyssey.org or contact Jason Wheeler at wheelerfc@hotmail.com.