Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Of the 17 competitive Odyssey of the Mind (OM) teams from Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) that participated in a recent regional-level contest, 11 are advancing to the state finals, which will take place at San Jacinto College on March 29.

The SBISD teams will compete against homeschool programs from the area, Houston private school squads, and teams from Spring ISD, Houston ISD and Richards ISD. Teams that place at the state level qualify to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

See below for a list of the SBISD teams heading to state.

This milestone is especially exciting as it marks a slow but steady rebuild for the program in SBISD after COVID-19 limited student participation. World Finals will be held May 21-24 at Michigan State University.

What Is Odyssey of the Mind?

According to the organization’s website, Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition that gives teams of young people the confidence to think independently and create solutions to open-ended problems in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).

Teams of students learn valuable analytical and methodical skills such as time management, communication, critical thinking and teamwork while working together to find creative, outside-the-box solutions to OM competitive challenges in one of five categories: vehicle, technology, classics, structure or performance.

In August, teams select a problem to tackle for the year. By the time they reach OM competitions in the spring, they are prepared to present their solutions before judges. Each team has eight minutes to complete their presentation from start to finish.

Some examples of problems SBISD OMers—the short name for students participating in Odyssey of the Mind—have worked on include:

• Designing, building and operating a self-contained powered vehicle. Some are small, while others are large enough to ride on or transport cargo.
• Researching, interpreting and performing a classic piece of literature, architecture, art or mythology.Students write and stage original theatrical pieces that often reflect the sophistication of the original creators’ visions.
• Designing and building a balsa wood and glue structure, then testing its weight and balance limits. Teams' demonstrations range from comical to extravagant.
• Creating an innovative technology device while incorporating artistic elements. Past SBISD teams have built robotic pets, a not-so-haunted pop-up house and other devices powered by rubber bands.
• Presenting a humorous performance that explains astrological constellations. Teams integrate stage and drama elements—including lighting, puppetry and elaborate set changes—into performances featuring creative original characters.

Program Growth in SBISD

In SBISD, Odyssey of the Mind is an extracurricular activity led by adult coaches at various campuses. Coaches come from all professions and walks of life; some are teachers at the schools.

During after-school meetings, coaches guide teams on how to explore and evaluate possible solutions, listen to others and develop hands-on skills such as painting, drilling and sewing. However, coaches are not allowed to provide teams with ideas or assist in developing their solutions.

Iris Story, the OM organizer in SBISD, hopes more schools will sponsor teams as the program rebuilds. She has been involved with the organization since 1995, when she coached her daughter’s team.

“We are hosting an awareness meeting for people interested in coaching from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 10 in the Bendwood School cafeteria,” Story said. “At the meeting, we will showcase two Spring Branch teams. A picture is worth a thousand words.”

As interest grows, there will also be a hands-on Odyssey of the Mind informational workshop for students and parents in May. (Tentative schedule: Thursday, May 1, from 4-7pm at Bendwood.​​​)​​

“They will rotate through exciting experiences,” Story said. “They will learn about Styrofoam, cardboard, circuits, puppets, paints, adhesives and much more.”

Empowered Problem-Solving

The life lessons learned from being on an Odyssey of the Mind team are extraordinary. Students build confidence, become great teammates and learn to face challenges with curiosity and self-assurance.

For Story, helping kids develop these skills is why she has remained involved with the program for 30 years.

“Watching them sparkle when they are empowered to make their own decisions, collaborate, touch things, build things, do things, keep a cost sheet, write scripts, make mistakes, create, give up their ideas to the team, learn humility, feel pride, appreciate others and so much more is so rewarding,” she said.

SBISD Teams Advancing to State Competition

Based on placements and problem categories at the regional competition:

• Problem 1 (Vehicle): THE-OM-MAZING RACE

• Problem 2 (Technical): MECH-ANIMAL SIDEKICK

• Problem 3 (Classics): CLASSICS … COOKING WITH BOOKS

• Problem 4 (Structure): SAVE ME STRUCTURE

• Problem 5 (Performance): ASTRONOMICAL ODYSSEY!

Division 1 Teams (3rd through 5th grade):

• Valley Oaks Elementary, 6th place, Problem 1
• Valley Oaks Elementary, 3rd place, Problem 5
• Meadow Wood Elementary, 3rd place, Problem 3
• Sherwood Elementary, 5th place, Problem 3
• Rummel Creek Elementary, 5th place, Problem 3
• Westwood Elementary, 9th place, Problem 3
• Ridgecrest Elementary, 3rd place, Problem 4
• Shadow Oaks Elementary, 8th place, Problem 5

Division 2 Teams (6th through 8th grades):

• Spring Forest Middle School, 1st place, Problem 3
• Spring Forest Middle School, 1st place, Problem 4

Division 3 Team (9th through 12th grade):

• Westchester Academy, 1st place, Problem 5

#SBISDProud