by Maya Mukherjee
Odyssey of the Mind, a popular extracurricular that involves creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and originality has captured the eye of 60+ students and teachers!
This after-school activity has recently started for its third year at Pine Island Academy. It gives students a long-term obstacle in which they must work in a team of seven to present an ultimate solution. This resolution involves the team bestowing an inventive skit in which costumes, backdrops and scriptwriting are all involved. This problem-solving pursuit has captured the attention of more students and faculty than ever before across campus.
“It’s crazy how the amount of teams has changed. I remember the first year I did Odyssey, there was only two teams. Now, there’s, like, nine. There’s a bunch of coaches, too,” Odyssey of the Mind participant of (going on) three years, Anna Parisi, remarked.
These coaches include Emily Coppes, Laurieann Lawson, Samantha Brady, Emily Trimble and the head of Odyssey herself, Shanon Cally. All these mentors coach various divisions, including primary (grades kindergarten-second), division Ⅰ, (grades three-fifth) and division ⅠⅠ (grades six-eighth). This provides an inclusive environment for all age groups who are interested in participating at PIA.
“I coached last year, and I wasn’t sure if I was gonna do it again, but I loved it so much last year, and I love STEM. Odyssey is all about STEM, or more STEAM, I guess.” Division|| coach, Lawson said. “It’s a great way to bond with students and get to know them better,” Lawson added.
It has been reported that OOTM has in fact allowed students to grow and bond as they are put into situations that tests their determination when it comes to both teamwork and perseverance. This environment teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers.
“I like Odyssey-I get to use my brain!” Primary student participant, Henry Arnold, commented.
All this possible because of the Head of Odyssey, Cally. As a result of her carrying this admirable activity on since the beginning of PIA, many students and teachers have been able to experience the amazing adventure that OOTM provides.
“I am so proud of how much this group has grown and how included everyone is, along with the confidence they’ve all developed because of Odyssey,” Cally stated.