Four Stamford Teams Advance to Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

From Stamford Public Schools:

Stamford, Conn.-- Imagine being challenged to build a self-propelled vehicle out of trash that can carry two team members across a gym floor. Or design a new fishing method that can retrieve an item from 10 feet away. Or use nothing but balsa wood and glue to design a structure that must be more than eight inches tall, weigh less than 15 grams, but support over 250 pounds. These are the complex problems that a group of Stamford students overcame as part of the 35th Connecticut State Odyssey of the Mind Tournament.

Working through the Stamford Youth Foundation, 13 teams, representing eight of Stamford’s 12 elementary schools, all five middle schools, and Stamford High School participated in the tournament, which was held recently in Bristol, Conn. The Stamford teams competed against teams comprised of 1,100 students from across the state. Teams from Westover Elementary School, Davenport Ridge Elementary School, Rippowam Middle School and Scofield Magnet Middle school were awarded silver medals, or second place, in their respective problems and divisions, thus earning each a spot to compete at the World Finals in May.

The Stamford teams who are eligible to compete at the World Finals are:

• Westover Magnet Elementary School, Silver Medal, World Finalist
  • Students: Brandon Bonilla, Griffin Cho, Alexandra Cole, Samantha Culhane, Matthew Franovic, Michael Franovic, Michelle Paluchniak
  • Coach: Jason Cole
• Davenport Ridge Elementary School, Silver Medal, World Finalist
  • Students: Anthony Fabricatore, Max Guttman, Grace Huber, Lucia Kempton, Rohan Sarma, Tyler Shea, Grace Tolla,
  • Coach: Kristin Shea, Stamford Public School Teacher
• Scofield Magnet Middle School/Rippowam Middle School, Silver Medal, World Finalist, and Winner of the Jill Riggles Award
  • Students: Alba Alizoti, Annalise Fabricatore, Meredith Ford, Abby Guttman, Julia Kempton, Emily Sasser
  • Coach: Kim Kempton
• Scofield Magnet Middle, Silver Medal, World Finalist
  • Students: Rhea Manchanda, Victoria Ng, William Ng, Allevelu Raparti, Anika Tandon, Matthew Tolla, Rhea Wadha
• Coaches: Simonita Joa-Ng and Liz Tolla

Additionally, of the 13 Stamford teams entered, 10 finished in the top five of their division, and five teams received medals for scoring in the top three statewide in their problem category and age group.

The World Finals, which will be held at Iowa State University from May 25 – 28, will host more than 800 teams from across the United States and 25 additional countries. Participants will compete and participate in other Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) experiences and activities with NASA scientists.

This will be the second consecutive trip for the Stamford mixed middle school team representing Rippowam and Scofield. Last year the same team took first place in the state and finished 18th out of 65 teams at the World competition.

"This program encourages creativity and 21st century skills,” said Davenport Grade Five Teacher Kirstin Shea, who has coached numerous Odyssey teams over the past six years. “Odyssey helps students to blossom. Their increased self-confidence and advanced leadership skills help them not only to succeed in the completion, but also in the classroom and life."

Odyssey of the Mind is the largest international creative problem-solving competition worldwide. Millions of students from kindergarten through college have participated in the Odyssey of the Mind since its inception in 1979. Each team is faced with a long-term problem and a spontaneous challenge using concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also incorporating the use of critical thinking skills, creativity and teamwork. Teams of five to seven students meet weekly for more than six months to develop solutions to one of five long-term problems in categories such as constructing a vehicle, creating a new take on a classic, building a balsa wood structure, and solving a mechanical dilemma. The solution is presented in the form of an eight-minute performance at the state tournament.

Odyssey of the Mind is a unique program because it allows all kids to succeed. The program provides an extra-curricular activity for students, driven by discovery and exploratory learning. The program teaches 21st Century Skills, is STEAM focused and supports current curriculum standards. There is a strict rule that the team accepts no outside assistance, which means that they cannot ask for or receive help, even from their coaches, teachers, or parents. Their solution is 100% created by the students on the team.

Each of the winning teams will now embark on major a fundraising effort to offset the high cost of travel and expenses to Iowa. If you would like to support Stamford students in their fundraising efforts or if have questions about the program, please contact Stamford program director Kim Kempton at stamfordom@gmail.com.