Odyssey of the Mind (OM™) teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers. Students work on long-term problems that require original solutions.  OM challenges students to utilize the skills they learn in the classroom and combine it with their own personal interests to create solutions to  unique open-ended problems. The core value of OM is teamwork and learning how to contribute personal interests and skills to a team created solution. Students work on skills such as, budgeting, time management, public speaking, STEM challenges, prop making, script writing, and costume making. Students will use the skills they learn in OM throughout their lifetime.

7th Grade OM Team:
The 7th Grade Odyssey of the Mind team competed in Division 2 for their Classics Long Term Problem. They placed first in the Skyland Regional Tournament, won State Champions in the NJ State Tournament and placed 11th in the World Finals at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.  The team found a creative solution to their Classics Long Term Problem The Walls of Troy by successfully portraying the theme of overcoming obstacles in Greek mythology.  The team created an animated statue, an original trojan horse, a sea monster wall and a greek chorus. The state champion team included teammates: Makaela, Lucas, Giovanni, Ellie, Emma and Izzie.  Congratulations to the students and their coaches, Lauren Sparagna and Marissa Modzelewski, for all of their hard work and dedication in successfully representing St. Augustine School and the State of NJ.  

5th Grade OM Team:
The 5th grade team competed in Division 1 for their Performance based Long Term Problem.  They received 2nd place in the Skylands Regional Tournament, 3rd place in the NJ State Tournament and 8th place in the World Finals Competition.  They created a humorous and clever solution to their Long Term Performance Problem that was based on a Dramatic character and showcased different dramatic styles within their performance.  Furthermore, the team received a very high score in their Spontaneous problem at the World Finals Competition.  They had great success for their first time competing since first grade together.  Congratulations to the coaches and students for all  their hard work and accomplishments this year.  

Marissa Modzelewski
St. Augustine Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator
SASOdyssey@staugustinenj.org
Odyssey of the Mind Website