On Saturday, March 6, the University of Delaware hosted Delaware’s Odyssey of the Mind (OotM) Competition. OotM is an educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve challenges that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.

 

At the end of a long day, medals were awarded to first, second and third place teams in each problem and age division. This year, a total of 27 teams from Appoquinimink Schools competed in the event with seven teams – highlighted below – medaling in the competition. We’re proud of the months of work this represents on the part of our volunteer coaches, their student teams, and our building coordinators and wish to recognize EVERYONE for an outstanding performance! If you’d like to learn more about OotM and how to get involved, contact Talent Development Coordinator Kathy Bin-Yusif at kathy.binyusif@appo.k12.de.us.

 

Age designations for OotM: Primary = grades K-2; Div. I = grades 3-5; Div. II = grades 6-8; Div. III = grades 9-12; Div. IV = collegiate level w/enrollment in at least one college course

 

This Year’s Challenges

Problem 1: Nature Trail'R*

This problem requires teams to design, build and drive a human-powered vehicle and camper that will go on a camping trip. When the vehicle arrives at the Campground, the camper will be disconnected and the vehicle will travel on a team-created Nature Trail. On the Nature Trail, the vehicle will overcome an obstacle, clean up the environment, encounter wildlife, and undergo a repair. The performance will include a character that is in or near the camper that explains the experience as part of its role. Sponsored by NASA.

 

Problem 2: Return to The Gift of Flight

Teams will make and operate a series of aircraft that will complete a variety of flight plans. The flight plans include flying straight, making a target spin, traveling slowly,dropping something into a target, touching down and taking off, and a mass launch of multiple aircraft. The aircraft in the solution will be made of a variety of materials and will have a variety of power sources. The testing of the aircraft will be presented in a team-created performance that will include a character that serves as a creative "air traffic controller."

 

Teams will create and present an original performance that includes the portrayal of the discovery of two archaeological treasures. One portrayal will be a team-created version of the discovery of an actual historical treasure. The other portrayal will be the team's depiction of a modern sculpture or structure that exists today but is discovered in the future. The performance will include an artistic representation of the two discovered treasures and characters that are part of the discovery teams.

 

The problem is to design and build balsa wood columns that will function together to balance and support as much weight as possible. The columns must not be connected to each other in any way. The team will test its Column Structure by placing weights onto it. The team will add weight until its Column Structure breaks or time ends. Bonus score will be awarded for the number of columns used. The team will incorporate the testing of its columns in an original team-created performance.

 

The problem is to create and present a humorous performance where a food item is accused of being unhealthy and must defend itself among its food peers. All characters are food items and will include "the accused," "the accuser," a jury that is not portrayed by team members, and additional team-created characters. The jury will reveal its decision to the audience.

 

Primary: Surprise Party

The team is to create and present a humorous performance that includes a Surprise Party for a team-created character. The theme of the party is a surprise because it is being given for something that is not normally celebrated. Partygoers will give three gifts that help symbolize the theme of the party. The performance will also include an original party "noisemaker" that makes an unusual sound instead of a loud sound.

 

State Results

Nature Trail'R Division IA

1. Newark Charter School, 2. Wilmington Montessori School, 3. Star Hill Elementary School

Nature Trail'R Division IB

1. The Independence School, 2. Holy Cross School, 3. Brick Mill Elementary School

Nature Trail'R Division II

1. H.B. du Pont Middle School, 2. Indian River Middle School, 3. The Independence School

Nature Trail'R Division III

1. Indian River High School

Return to Gift of Flight Division I

1. Linden Hill Elementary School, 2. North Star Elementary School, 3. Wilmington Montessori School

Return to Gift of Flight Division II

1. Postelthwait Middle School, 2. Air Base Middle School, 3. Fifer Middle School

Discovered Treasures Division IA

1. North Star Elementary School, 2. Shields Elementary School, 3. The Independence School

Discovered Treasures Division IB

1. Linden Hill Elementary School, 2. Olive B. Loss Elementary School, 3. MOT Charter School

Discovered Treasures Div IIA

1. Caravel Academy, 2. P.S. du Pont Elementary School, 3. H.B. du Pont Middle School

Discovered Treasures Div IIB

1. Newark Charter School, 2. Indian River Middle School, 3. Providence Creek Academy

Discovered Treasures Division III

1. Sussex Technical High School, 2. St. Mark's High School, 3. Newark High School

Column Structure Division I

1. Linden Hill Elementary School, 2. Smyrna Step 3 and 4 Program, 3. Olive B. Loss Elementary School

Column Structure Division II

1. Skyline Middle School, 2. Louis L. Redding Middle School, 3. Alfred G. Waters Middle School

Column Structure Division III

1. The Charter School of Wilmington, 2. Cab Calloway School of the Arts, 3. Sussex Technical High School

Food Court Division IA

1. Allen Frear Elementary School, 2. The Independence School, 3. Indian River Elementary School

Food Court Division IB

1. Olive B. Loss Elementary School, 2. Lake Forest ACE Program, 3. Claymont Elementary School

Food Court Division IC

1. Linden Hill Elementary School, 2. Providence Creek Academy, 3. North Laurel Elementary School

Food Court Div IIA

1. The Independence School, 2. H.B. du Pont Middle School, 3. Cab Calloway School of the Arts

Food Court Division IIB

1. Indian River Middle School, 2. Milford Middle School, 3. Alfred G. Waters Middle School

Food Court Div III

1. Dover High School, 2. The Charter School of Wilmington, 3. Indian River High School