Competing
against students from China, South Korea and across the United
States, Tamarac Elementary students finished eighth out of 61
teams in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held at the
University of Maryland from May 27-30.
But for all the team's success, it was the friendships the students made with other children from across the globe that they will remember most.
"They didn't want it to end. They were getting teared up, I was getting teared up," said Tamarac teacher and team coach Chris Siegenthaler. "For a weekend, it seemed like the whole world got along."
Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem solving competition for students in grades K-12. Students are judged on their ability to use creativity and teamwork to solve a pre-selected problem.
Tamarac's
team of students in grades 3 through 5 qualified for the World
Finals by finishing first in regional competition and second in
state competition. Challenged to invent a complicated solution
to a simple task, students created a bingo machine that looked
like a giant version of the Mouse Trap board game. They wrote a
script about an old folk’s home which they performed in front of
judges and an audience.
Students, parents, Mr. Siegenthaler and Principal Karen Lederman traveled to the World Finals for the competition. The Brittonkill Educational Foundation, Brittonkill PTSA, local businesses and community donations helped pay for students to travel to the event.
Mrs. Lederman said the most incredible part of the experience was the friendships the students made with a "buddy team" from China that they were paired with. Despite not knowing each other's languages, the students became inseparable friends, playing games and teaching each other songs.
"It
was just awesome," said Mrs. Lederman. "To see them communicate
without knowing each other's language for three days was
incredible."
Mr. Siegenthaler agreed.
"I've never seen these kids have this much fun. I watched a few kids teach each other for 20 minutes about how to say 'hot dog'," Mr. Siegenthaler said with a laugh.
The students' success has caused more interest in Odyssey of the Mind at Tamarac with more teams expected to participate in regional competition next year. Mr. Siegenthaler said that is rewarding since Odyssey of the Mind gives students a unique opportunity to think creatively.
"I'm proud but all the credit goes to the students and their parents for coming in over breaks, buying supplies and traveling down to Maryland," Mr. Siegenthaler said. "I also appreciate all the support Karen (Lederman) has given us and traveling to Worlds on her own money. It's fantastic for students to see that they have a principal who cares so much about what they are doing."
