Markpyro
04-10-2005, 1:54 PM
I'll get to my point in a minute.
Odyssey of the Mind (OM for short) is basicly a competition. There are several different problems, as well as divisions that seperate age groups. My team is in division 2 and doing the problem called crazy columns. In this problem, we have to create a structure out of balsa wood under 15 grams that has to hold a lot of weight. The structure has to touch three points, and hold up a crusher board in which weights will be placed on top. The structure only counts as part of the scoring, as there is a skit that is involved that counts for almost as much as the structure. Along with that is a Spontanious problem, where you have to come up with creative answers and get scored.
OM is popular around the world, but recently spreading to many other states in the US. But, it costs about $10,000 for a school to buy a license, which is why many schools dont have OM.
Anyways, during the past 2 days, I have been in Madison for the State Finals in Wisconsin. After painstakingly preparing for three and a half months, our team was finally ready to go to competition. We presented our skits and tested our structures, and everything went okay. Finally, the many teams gathered in the large gymnasium to hear the results.I knew that only the first place teams got to go to the world finals after State. We heard the announcer,
"And the third place team is.... Viking Middle School!"
Our team let out a long breath, happy they hadnt called us. Viking went up to get their ribbons and trophy, then sat back down. We heard the Announcer again,
"And the second place team is...... Wisconsin Hills Middle School!"
Immediatly, our team looked at each other, all with dissapointed looks apong our faces. We walked up slowly, realizing that we hadn't gotten to world after all our hard work.
We sat back down, glum and couldnt believe that we lost.
The announcer called up the first place team, and congradulated them. Our team barely noticed. Then, the announcer told everyone to be quiet and that she had an announcement.
"After such a close score between the first and second place teams, and a mix up with the Judges, Both the First AND second place teams for division 2, Crazy Columns, will be going to world"
My team was amazed. Ironicly, I had been telling my teammate earlier that it seemed like when we asked for miricales, they never came. We were overjoyed, we were going to Colorado for the OM world Finals!
As it turns out, my brother's team is also going to the world finals, and so is another team from their school.
Just wanted to share that with you,
Thanks
-MP
Odyssey of the Mind (OM for short) is basicly a competition. There are several different problems, as well as divisions that seperate age groups. My team is in division 2 and doing the problem called crazy columns. In this problem, we have to create a structure out of balsa wood under 15 grams that has to hold a lot of weight. The structure has to touch three points, and hold up a crusher board in which weights will be placed on top. The structure only counts as part of the scoring, as there is a skit that is involved that counts for almost as much as the structure. Along with that is a Spontanious problem, where you have to come up with creative answers and get scored.
OM is popular around the world, but recently spreading to many other states in the US. But, it costs about $10,000 for a school to buy a license, which is why many schools dont have OM.
Anyways, during the past 2 days, I have been in Madison for the State Finals in Wisconsin. After painstakingly preparing for three and a half months, our team was finally ready to go to competition. We presented our skits and tested our structures, and everything went okay. Finally, the many teams gathered in the large gymnasium to hear the results.I knew that only the first place teams got to go to the world finals after State. We heard the announcer,
"And the third place team is.... Viking Middle School!"
Our team let out a long breath, happy they hadnt called us. Viking went up to get their ribbons and trophy, then sat back down. We heard the Announcer again,
"And the second place team is...... Wisconsin Hills Middle School!"
Immediatly, our team looked at each other, all with dissapointed looks apong our faces. We walked up slowly, realizing that we hadn't gotten to world after all our hard work.
We sat back down, glum and couldnt believe that we lost.
The announcer called up the first place team, and congradulated them. Our team barely noticed. Then, the announcer told everyone to be quiet and that she had an announcement.
"After such a close score between the first and second place teams, and a mix up with the Judges, Both the First AND second place teams for division 2, Crazy Columns, will be going to world"
My team was amazed. Ironicly, I had been telling my teammate earlier that it seemed like when we asked for miricales, they never came. We were overjoyed, we were going to Colorado for the OM world Finals!
As it turns out, my brother's team is also going to the world finals, and so is another team from their school.
Just wanted to share that with you,
Thanks
-MP