About

Program Growth:

Beginning in 1999 with 3 teams from 1 campus. Pre-Covid, 23 teams formed representing EVERY CISD campus.  SC Ootm participation growth from 21 students to over 150 in 15 years. The program is open to all students, not only for "GT" students. We believe every student is "Gifted" and OotM helps students understand their gifts and make a positive impact on the team.

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Program Success:

SC Ootm has teams advance to World Finals every year. Last year a record 10 teams advanced from the State Finals Tournament: they placed 1st, 2nd, or won a Ranatra for special risk-taking creativity. One third of the Texas teams at World Finals were from Southlake Carroll. .

What is Odyssey of the Mind (OotM)?

• Creative problem-solving competition for students, grades K – College

• OotM Goal:  To foster original and divergent thinking, challenging teams to solve problems that have more than one solution.  To promote respect, cooperation and friendship.  To encourage experimentation and risk-taking.

• Teams : Maximum seven students formed by Grade competing by Divisions: 1, 2, or 3

• Problems Solved:  The Long-term Problem Plus The Spontaneous Problem

• Time Commitment: Extra-curricular Activity and Teams work “8 Months for 8 Minutes”

• Coaches: Parent volunteers Coach

• 100% Team Created: Kids develop ideas, build all sets, props, and devices to meet specific objectives.  Kids come up with a theme, create characters, write a script, memorize lines, block and “act” the solution in 8 minutes.  They design and make all costumes. They are assessed penalties for any outside assistance… all on a shoestring budget $100-125.  Kids learn how to “recycle” and “upcycle”; how to use power tools and many other skills.