THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605290399
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 90 lines
Think of Odyssey of the Mind as a brain teaser of the highest order, one that combines all you know about problem-solving, mechanical engineering, the theater and wood shop into eight minutes in the limelight.
That sort of challenge will be keeping two teams of young people from Virginia Beach busy this week as they compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University.
Seven students each from Cox High School and Cape Henry Collegiate School are taking part in the event, which is expected to draw about 5,000 participants from across the United States and more than 20 foreign countries. The Cox and Cape Henry students, along with 11 other teams from Virginia, have risen through several levels of competition to qualify for the international event.
``You work nine months for eight minutes,'' said Chris Peters, Cox's coach.
Indeed, both teams began working last year, trying to figure out which of the contest's challenging problems to take on, and then brainstorming a solution. The teams, which are age-based, choose from up to five problems and offer a solution as creatively as possible in skit form for the judges.
``There's no wrong answer. It's just different,'' said Nathan Cummings, an 18-year-old member of the Cox team. ``The first thing you do is take the obvious and throw it out.''
``Or take the obvious and take it to another level that no one would think of,'' added 16-year-old team member Diane Peters.
The Cox teenagers, for instance, decided to tackle a problem titled ``Amusin' Cruisin'.'' It required them to design, build and drive a vehicle to see attractions that were part of a team-designed theme. In addition to being a means of transportation, the vehicle also had to perform team-created tasks. Team members could spend $100 on materials, and the skit could last no more than eight minutes.
The young people came up with an idea they felt capitalized on all of their strengths and then pulled it together with duct tape, fishing line and a lot of ingenuity. They built a driver, M.T. Pockets, who heads to a casino and a power plant, where the students maneuver his arm to perform a variety of tasks, including using an ATM that delivers fake money. As sounds and lights go off, some of the students sing jingles they have written and appear as characters in the skit.
Developing and building the project takes teamwork and a substantial investment of time.
``I don't know how many hours I put in because I can't count that high,'' joked Cummings.
The students say it's worth the effort, but admit there are times they question what they've gotten themselves into.
Mandi Warren, an eighth-grader at Cape Henry, said she first took part in Odyssey of the Mind in the third grade.
``I said I'd never ever ever do it again,'' she said, laughing. But the competition and excitement kept her coming back.
The Cape Henry students chose a problem that allowed them to create an original tall tale with a comic flair. Their solution is, well, a little complicated. Suffice it to say the cast of characters includes a heroine named Ginger Vitis.
``She's a Southern belle, sort of,'' said 14-year-old Rachael Wagner.
Judges at the Iowa competition will award medals on the basis of the effectiveness of the solution, the style shown in presentation, and responses to spontaneous problems that students don't hear until the competition. Winners will be announced later this week, and the local students are expected to return on Sunday. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by CHARLIE MEADS\The Virginian-Pilot
Representing Cox High School in the Odyssey of the Mind finals in
Iowa are, from left, Jackson Weller, Diane Peters, Jeffrey Bowles,
Steve Bull, Nathan Cummings, Ed Carden, and, seated, Adam Law.
SIDE BAR
What is it?
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative, problem-solving challenge for
students from kindergarten through college. Competition extends
from the local through international levels. By having students
solve problems in areas ranging from building mechanical devices to
interpreting literary classics, the program encourages teamwork,
decision-making and self-confidence.
The nonprofit program was started by a New Jersey college
professor 18 years ago and has grown to include more than 1 million
students. Teams are grouped into four age-based divisions, and
local teams are supported through private donations and corporate
sponsorships.
The OM Pledge:
``Let me be a seeker of knowledge. Let me travel uncharted
paths. And, let me use my creativity to make the world a better
place in which to live.''
KEYWORDS: ODYSSEY OF THE MIND by CNB