‘Odyssey of the Mind’ Team Needs Funding To Compete At World Finals
By Space Coast Daily // April 24, 2015
Support Brevard’s Best and Brightest Minds As They Represent the Space Coast At the Upcoming Prestigious World Finals of “Odyssey of the Mind.”
CLICK HERE TO SEND THE TEAM TO THE WORLD FINALS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – After winning the state championship on April 11 at the University of Central Florida, a team of five outstanding Brevard County middle school students won the right to compete in the 36th Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, set for May 20 – May 23 at at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.
The team includes Jordan Fackler of Cocoa High, Samantha Palermo of Edgewood, Jaslyn Pelham of Edgewood, Trinity Stenger of Jefferson and Maddie Warren of McNair.
All seventh graders, the girls competed in the “Lose Your Marbles” stackable structure problem, as they designed and built a balsa wood structure that was tested by placing as much weight as possible on it during an eight minute, team-created performance.
“These girls have received a head start on their engineering education by using information they’ve learned on material selection, construction techniques and column and truss design,” said Edgewood Junior/Senior High School Principal Dr. Kenneth Winn.
“They applied these skills to design and build a structure that weighed less than 18 grams and also had to hold and release 5 marbles using a device the team created.”
The team’s balsa wood structure held a whopping 862 pounds, which was the most weight held by a structure in their division during the Florida tournament at the University of Central Florida on April 11.
ONLY THE BEST ADVANCE TO THE WORLD FINALS
The team is coached by Jennifer Pelham, Lizzeta Martin and Anna Palermo.
More than 800 teams from around the world will compete in the upcoming Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in East Lansing.
“The team worked hard for eight months to develop their solution for the Florida competition,” said Coach Pelham.
The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals competition emphasizes creativity and teamwork and has grown into the largest international creative problem-solving competition worldwide.
Millions of kids have been working hard all year perfecting their solutions to Odyssey of the Mind problems and competing within their regions and states.
Only a few advance to World Finals — and these teams represent the best of the best creative minds.
CLICK HERE TO SEND THE TEAM TO THE WORLD FINALS
BEST OF CREATIVE MINDS
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.
Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.
While the competition is fierce, there is also a feeling of camaraderie among competitors.
Many students form life-long friendships that span the U.S. and the globe. At World Finals, teams have the chance to learn about other cultures through a common goal…to be as creative as they can.
Teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.
They are currently seeking donations to offset the cost of taking the team to the World Competition.
“I encourage your support of this team of future women engineers,” said Dr. Winn. “The total team expense for the team and coaches is $7,240.”
Among the sponsors so far are Abigail Beaty, Kim Vcelka, Michael Brady, Nola Copeland, John and Melinda Tribe, Max Farley, Mike and Suzanne McBride, and Don and Marlene Smith.
