Cary-Area Elementary Students Advance To Odyssey Of The Mind World Finals

CARY, IL — A group of elementary school students from Cary have earned a spot at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

The five-student Technical Problem team, representing Three Oaks Elementary School and Briargate Elementary School, placed second at the Northern Illinois Odyssey of the Mind Tournament on March 7, qualifying them for the global competition this May at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

The team includes Wyatt, a second grader; third graders Leo, Everette and Raphael Picardi; and fourth grader Elijah. Raphael is the team’s only member from Briargate Elementary, while the others attend Three Oaks.

Their challenge, titled “Lost in Omerland Technical Problem 2,” required students to design, build and perform with a wearable “Technical Trip Assistant” device that humorously malfunctioned throughout a short theatrical presentation.

During the performance, the device delivered incorrect answers, silly translations and wrong directions that led the travelers to unexpected places. Each malfunction triggered a physical action from the device as part of the storyline, Charlotte Herbert told Patch.

Teams had just eight minutes to unpack their props, set up their stage and perform the skit. All costumes, props and scenery had to fit inside two suitcases, and the total budget for materials was limited to $165, Herbert said.

Students were responsible for designing and building the device, creating costumes and sets, writing the script and performing the skit — all without adult intervention, a core rule of the Odyssey of the Mind program.

Practice sessions were held at a local library and parents’ homes, where the students spent months brainstorming ideas, engineering their props and rehearsing their performance while a parent-coach was present only to answer questions, she said.

In addition to the team’s strong finish, fourth grader Elijah received the prestigious Omer Award, which recognizes exceptional sportsmanship and character.

Judges cited Elijah’s leadership, compassion for his teammates and integrity while answering questions about the project. When judges complimented his leadership during the competition, Elijah responded by crediting the entire team, according to a news release.

“Well thank you, but I couldn't have done it without this team,” he said, gesturing toward his teammates.

The World Finals competition will bring thousands of students to the Iowa State University campus, where participants stay in dorms and compete alongside teams from all 50 states and several countries including Germany, Japan, China and Poland.

As the Cary-area students prepare for the international competition, families are working to raise about $7,000 to cover travel and participation costs.

Community members and local businesses interested in supporting the team can learn more or donate here:
https://spot.fund/CaryGroveOdysseyOfTheMinds

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition for students from kindergarten through college. Teams spend months developing solutions to open-ended challenges that combine STEM concepts, theater, teamwork and budgeting.