The two Odyssey teams and their coaches, from left Victoria Daley, Alea Kretz, Gianna Rolfe, Kai Bain-Zink, Kaya Wilson, Hazel Beaulieu and Matt Allen. Center, Evan Kolman, Keiland Kolar, Zack Ramirez, Alma Trujillo and Hati Mei Downing Olsen. Front, Isaiah Serna, Jocelyne Dolejsi, Ferrin Bullock-Jenson and Audrey Thornton. Courtesy photo
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bonnie@ladailypost.com
The two teams were in the midst of a spontaneous problem-solving activity when the Los Alamos Daily Post visited their classroom last week at Aspen Elementary School. They were charged with using some basic materials provided by fourth grade teacher and Odyssey Coach Matt Allen to build an extension that could reach past the end of the work-table. They had six minutes.
The team members tossed around various ideas, planned a strategy and set to work. The teams, made up of third through fifth grade Aspen students and a sixth grader. By including an older student, the team moved into the ranks of middle school teams and will compete on that level.
Odyssey of the Mind is the world’s largest problem-solving competition. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade school compete to solve problems and get creative. For five years, fourth grade teacher Matt Allen and GATE teacher Vickie Daley have been coaching the Odyssey Team. They also happen to be married.
“We’ve come a long way, Allen said. “So many kids wanted to participate that we expanded into two teams. We look for kids that really want to do it and we could have three teams if we had another coach!”
It’s quite a commitment. The team meets with the coaches after school and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every other Saturday.
Daley grew up in Los Alamos and wanted to return to town. The couple was teaching in Virginia, and when they relocated, they wanted to bring the Odyssey program to New Mexico. Daley has been an Odyssey coach for 16 years. Allen has been a coach for 12 years.
The Odyssey of the Mind was born out of the teachings of its founder, Dr. C. Samuel Micklus. During the 1970s at Rowan University in New Jersey, Dr. Micklus challenged his Industrial Design students to use their creativity to solve unique problems. He created a course titled Creative Problem Solving and in 1978, the first competition took place.
Soon after, the name of the program was changed to Odyssey of the Mind, representing the journey of discovery participants take while using their creativity and natural abilities to solve the program’s challenging problems.
Today, there are associations all around the world serving thousands of schools participating in Odyssey of the Mind.
Teams represent nearly every state in the US and approximately 25 other countries. The Aspen teams are the only ones in New Mexico.
“We compete in the Colorado competitions,” Allen said.
This isn’t a program just for future engineers. It develops all kinds of skills from whether it is set-building, costume-making, creating props, acting, singing, or playing an instrument. Odyssey is the epitome of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts (including language arts) and Math.
Students bring their unique qualities and learn to share their ideas and collaborate with their team members. Strong bonds form among the team during the months they are working together, Allen said.
Whether their passion I drama or engineering, everyone has a role and is urged to participate, not only by the coaches but by the team. Observing the teams, one is struck by how supportive the students are of each other.
“We’re like a family that build over the year and includes parents and siblings,” Allen said. “We’re watching the kids blossom and I get to wok with my wife, who is a truly great coach.”
The teams pick from six original Long Term Problems and compete in five competitive problem There are two types of “problems” in Odyssey of the Mind: Long-Term Problems and Spontaneous Problems Daley explained The two categories build different skills.
What do the kids like the best about Odyssey?
“I like challenging things and this is really challenging said. Team member Alma said. “It teaches you to think of things on the spot.”
“I like how nice the people are,” Hazel said.
Audrey agreed. “We can trust each other,” she said.
“I like spending time with my friends,” Ferrin said. “I like trying new things and getting ready to compete.”
“We all get to be a team and learn and grow,” Kai said.
“We’d like to see more teams in Los Alamos next year,” Allen said.
Odyssey teams range from kindergarteners through high school students.
Allen and Daley would love to talk to people interested in learning to coach.
“We’d be happy to serve as mentors,” Allen said. “We love this program.”
“We love the kids,” Daley said. “This is a great job and the school district is really supportive.”
The team is raising $15,000 to travel to Michigan for the International Competition. They will be part in the craft fair taking place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Stop by and purchase some of their crafts.
“We’d love it if some other teams got going in Los Alamos,” Allen said. “We love to talk about about Odyssey.”
Contact Allen at m.allen@laschools.net or Daley at v.daley@laschools.net to learn more about Odyssey or find out how to contribute to the travel fund.
The Odyssey team, hard at work solving a problem. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Teacher Matt Allen hands out supplies to solve the spontaneous project. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com