Community Corner
Building Problem Solvers at Coastline Christian Schools: Inside Odyssey of the Mind
A team of middle school students developed real-world problem-solving skills that led them from regional competition to the world stage.
This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.
Coastline Christian School’s Odyssey of the Mind (OM) Middle School team, proudly known as “Jelly Belly,” embarked on an exciting and creative journey beginning in September 2025. Composed of six dedicated and imaginative students—Nathan Wong, Ben Will, Andrew Will, Kylie Quang, Melissa Johnson, and Chloe Wong—the team took on the challenge of designing and building a vehicle capable of pulling three cars carrying special cargo while transforming their solution into a work of art.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that encourages students to develop creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Participants work collaboratively over several months to solve open-ended problems that blend engineering, performance, and artistic expression. Through this process, students learn perseverance, time management, and the value of innovative thinking—skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
The “Jelly Belly” team brought their problem to life through a whimsical Candyland-inspired world, featuring imaginative settings such as Gum Drop Grove, Matcha Mountain, Peppermint Plateau, and Caramel Cliff. Their creativity, hard work, and teamwork paid off in February 2026 when they competed in the regional tournament in Brentwood, earning an impressive 1st place finish.
Building on their success, the team advanced to the State tournament in Concord in March 2026, where they secured 2nd place—an achievement that qualified them for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held in May 2026 at Iowa State University.
At the World Finals, the “Jelly Belly” team competed against top teams from around the globe, including participants from Poland, China, Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. Representing Coastline Christian School with excellence, the team delivered an outstanding performance and achieved an impressive 14th place ranking out of 57 teams worldwide.
This incredible journey would not have been possible without the unwavering financial and moral support of the Coastline Christian School community. The dedication of the students, coaches, and families truly exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and excellence that defines Coastline.
Congratulations to the “Jelly Belly” team on their remarkable accomplishments. Your creativity, perseverance, and teamwork have made the entire school community proud. Well done, team—and Go Rams!
This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.
