Odyssey of the Mind

Barnhart School has partnered with Odyssey of the Mind for the past two years, and we are excited to continue offering this incredible opportunity for our students. This program fosters community building and provides our students with a valuable platform to enhance their skills and talents through teamwork in a collaborative environment. Learn more about Odyssey of the Mind below, and we look forward to your child(ren) joining our Barnhart team to represent our school.

Odyssey of the Mind (OM™) 

Teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers. Imagine being faced with a problem that requires an original solution. It can be frightening. Now imagine not being afraid to solve that problem - that is what OM members learn. Read more about this program on Odyssey's website HERE.

OMers will solve a spontaneous problem and present a solution to their chosen long-term problem at the regional competition in the spring.

Creative opportunities often present themselves unexpectedly, so the ability to think on your feet is one of the most important skills a person can acquire. Spontaneous problems offer a way to hone that skill.

On the day of the competitions, every team solves a Spontaneous problem. Teams are presented with a problem that is verbal, hands-on, or a combination of both. On average, they have 10 minutes to read the problem and solve it.

Teams choose 1 long-term problem to work on for several months, building props, writing a script, and performing their skit for judges and feedback. In Primary (through second grade), the problem is chosen for the students, and students will not advance to further levels of the competition. Teams with older students who earn the top 3 scores at the regional competition will advance to the state competition level.

2025 Long-Term Problems (video click here).

You can watch an overview video to get a better understanding of Odyssey of the Mind by clicking here.

For the past two years, Barnhart has hosted the regional competition on our campus, offering multiple teams at various age levels. To make this program a success, we need parent volunteers, coaches, and dedicated students. 

Through this program, students will learn valuable skills such as teamwork, compromise, encouragement, and collaboration. Parents interested in supervising after-school practices will ensure that students use tools safely in the Maker Space, cooperate with their teammates, and remain focused on their projects. 

Please note that there are limited spots available for students to join our teams. Interested students must complete the application below and commit to attending as many practices as possible. Being a good team member requires students to be reliable and present.

Be a part of an exciting team. Let’s get problem-solving Bobcats!