Four teams of BC Middle School students competed in the regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament on Sunday March 5th.Odyssey of the Mind is known as the world’s greatest problem-solving program for students. Three teams took 1st place in their divisions and will move on to the State Tournament in Syracuse on April 15th. One team took second place in a very close competition.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem-solving competition that stresses creative thinking, perseverance and teamwork. Teams must solve one of five problems within an eight-minute skit that includes student-created props, sets and costumes as well as solve a spontaneous logic-based problem.
This year, the challenges for the BC teams were; to manufacture a pirate-themed vehicle, construct a Rube-Goldberg Machine, use a Trojan horse to overcome an obstacle, and construct a balsa wood structure that can support as much weight as possible.
BCMS Team 1:
- Reilly Arnold
- Sullivan Dzekciorius
- Ben Frick
- Joseph Pemberton
- Andrew Turinsky
- Liam Vernon
- Logan Vernon
BCMS Team 2:
- Taylor Cooley
- Sophia Garcia
- Mack Mitchell
- Lily Strach
- Luke Zimmerman
BCMS Team 3:
- Jasmine Harden
- Ann Hu
- Isabella Regan
- Dakota Timmany
- Melissa Yang
BCMS Team 4:
- Ella Cady
- Charlotte Dietzel
- Makenna Herne
- Natalie Kajano (not pictured)
- Lucy Knuth
- Maggie Padilla
- Katelyn Petrone
All teams were coached by Rebecca Beiter and BCHS freshman Sierra Obernesser, a former member of a 2-time world finalist team.
Any parent interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind or starting a team at the elementary or high school level next fall should contact the district Odyssey coordinator, Rebecca Beiter (rbeiter@bethlehemschools.org).
Congratulations to all four teams and best of luck to those headed to Syracuse for the State Competition!