Odyssey of the Mind established over 20 years ago, teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. By tapping into creativity and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems for a lifetime. It teaches them how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to welcome challenges and to use creativity to solve those problems. They are encouraged to think “outside the box”. They must come up with the solution to their problem on their own, without adult input, including making of props, writing their skits, composing their songs, designing their costumes.

On May 29, our awesome 2003-2004 Odyssey of the Mind team competed with 64 other national and international teams to place 3rd at World Finals held at the University of Maryland. They began planning and practicing for the competition in September, 2003. They chose the problem "Envirover". The challenge was to build and drive a human-powered Envirover vehicle that will collect trash and deliver it to a Factory, where it would be used to manufacture a product of the team's design. The team needed to present an original prototype of the product then use the trash to produce five samples of the product. The team also needed to create and present a humorous sales pitch for its product that takes place in a store setting.

The team initially competed in the Regional competition where they came in second place. They went on to compete in the State Competition against 14 other teams and placed first. They scored 100% in the Spontaneous portion of the competition. This portion consists of five members of the team being given a problem and having a certain time limit to respond. Each team member must take a turn and does not have an option for not answering. The goal of this portion of the competition is to have as many responses as possible in that time frame that are clever and original.

Our inspiring 2002-2003 team placed eighth at World Finals in Ames, Iowa. All these hard-working students deserve tremendous praise for their dedication. And a special thanks for the dauntless coaches and supportive parents who have also put in many long hours.

• 2004 Odyssey of the Mind team placed 1st at State and 3rd at World Competition