Colorado Odyssey, Inc

Our McGraw Elementary Odyssey of the Mind Save Me Structure team won Regionals, then State, and now is on to crush Worlds! They had to create a skit about three balsa animals being rescued and engineer a balsa structure weighing 18 g or less that could hold as much weight as possible.

This team consisting of fourth and fifth graders set a goal back in September to make it to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals competition. Since then they've attended workshops, built a 7' tall Martian rocket ship out of recycled materials, spent countless hours team building and prop creating, and crushed a wild amount of balsa towers. They've laughed, cried, sustained minor hot glue gun burns, had major prop malfunctions, and grown together as a team. They went from having a structure that held 200 lbs in December to a structure that held 725 lbs at State. They've achieved their first goal of qualifying for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University May 21-25. They will be competing against 50-75 teams from across the world.

Now this group of amazing kids needs your help to fund their way to Worlds. Your donation will go towards travel expenses, food, prop shipping, team registration, and team shirts. All proceeds go directly towards the team and their coaches. Please help this team represent their school on a global stage. All donations are appreciated.

Want to join us in making a difference? We're raising money to send our Rocky Mountain High School Odyssey of the Mind Teams to the World Finals in May at Michigan State University. Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to our students.

More information about Colorado Odyssey, Inc: A creative problem solving program for kids K-College, Odyssey of the Mind teams choose one long term problem to solve. In the process of solving their problem, children learn to think outside the box, work together to develop creative solutions to broadly defined problems, and present their solution in an 8 minute performance. Teams are rewarded for not just solving the problem, but for enhancing their solution with style and teams compete in an on-the-spot spontaneous problem as part of the competition.

Want to join us in making a difference? We're raising money to benefit Our Webber Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Structure Team that qualified for the World Finals in May. Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Colorado Odyssey, Inc: A creative problem solving program for kids K-College, Odyssey of the Mind teams choose one long term problem to solve. In the process of solving their problem, children learn to think outside the box, work together to develop creative solutions to broadly defined problems, and present their solution in an 8 minute performance. Teams are rewarded for not just solving the problem, but for enhancing their solution with style and teams compete in an on-the-spot spontaneous problem as part of the competition.

Our talented teams of young innovators from DCS Montessori Charter School in Castle Pines, CO has achieved something truly remarkable: they have earned a coveted spot to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals!

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international creative problem-solving competition that challenges students to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to complex problems, ranging from building mechanical devices to presenting theatrical performances. Our students have dedicated countless hours to collaborate, brainstorm, and hone their skills, demonstrating incredible teamwork, creativity, and perseverance.

Their journey to the World Finals, taking place May 23rd-27th in East Lansing, Michigan (Michigan State University), is a testament to their hard work and dedication. However, this incredible opportunity comes with significant travel and accommodation costs. As volunteer and student organizations, DCS Montessori OM teams rely on the generosity of our community to provide enriching experiences like this for our students.

By becoming a donor, you will directly contribute to these bright young minds' journey to the world stage. Your support will help cover essential expenses such as:

Transportation to and from the World Finals

Accommodation for the team and chaperones

Registration and other fees for the competition

We believe that investing in these students is an investment in the future. Their participation in Odyssey of the Mind fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity – skills that are essential for success in any field. Your support will not only help them reach the World Finals but will also empower them to become innovative leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

We’re thrilled to share that two Odyssey of the Mind (OM) teams from Foothills Elementary recently competed in the Colorado State OM Tournament in Fort Collins on April 5, 2025—and both teams earned top honors!

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program where students work together to solve complex, open-ended challenges in areas like engineering, storytelling, and performance. It’s all about fostering creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking in a fun and collaborative way.

Our Problem 2 (Technical) Team designed, built, and operated a one-of-a-kind robotic animal that made characters happy by performing three unique tricks. Their innovation and hard work earned them 1st place in their division!

Our Problem 5 (Performance) Team crafted a humorous and imaginative performance featuring a team-created "historical" civilization and its stories about the stars. Their creativity and stage presence earned them an impressive 2nd place in their division!

Thanks to these amazing achievements, both teams have advanced to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University this May—an extraordinary opportunity to compete on an international stage with students from all over the globe.

We are incredibly thankful to have COS Reads as a sponsor for our World Finals competition. However, we still need additional support to cover the significant travel and lodging expenses for our students and coaches.

✨ We’re asking for your help to get these talented, hardworking kids to the OM World Finals! Any donation, big or small, will help make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.

Please note: This trip is not officially affiliated with or sponsored by Foothills Elementary or Academy School District 20.

For detailed information regarding the Colorado Odyssey Directed Funds Policy, specifically relating to tax deductions from contributions made by family members, please follow the link provided and scroll down to the relevant section.

Thank you so much for your support—let’s help these creative problem solvers take their ideas all the way to Michigan!

After earning second place in our Regional and first place in our State Odyssey of the Mind competitions, we are making our way to Michigan State University in May to compete at the World Finals!

We are a dynamic team of 4th graders at Graland Country Day School, and this is the first time that some of us will get to experience the OM World Finals! We are so excited! Our team has worked hard and has learned so much through this past year on how best to encourage one another, how to brainstorm in a positive manner, and how to work well together by coming up with new and creative ideas while also problem-solving.

We are raising money to help cover our travel expenses and competition fees for our seven members and two coaches. We greatly appreciate your support in helping us compete at this next level. Thank you!

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition where students work in teams to solve complex challenges that combine science, engineering, art, and performance. Teams choose a long term problem to solve over several months and also compete in spontaneous problem-solving rounds. It is designed to encourage collaboration, innovation, and out-of-the-box thinking among students.

Since October, our team of 7 4th graders from Saint Anne's Episcopal School has been working nonstop in the Odyssey of the Mind Program. Together, they have put together a skit, created props, and customized a creative solution to a STEM problem supplied by the program.

In March, they competed at the Regional Competition and won first place, as well as 2 special awards for outstanding creativity. In April, they competed at the State Competition, again winning first place! These 7 exceptional kids are now headed to the World Competition in East Lansing to compete against schools from around the country and across the globe! Please consider helping to support them along the way!!

McGraw Elementary' s Odyssey of the Mind Problem 1, Division 1 Team are the Colorado state champions! As state champions, the kids qualified to attend World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames, IA in May. World Finals is a huge event where the kids get to meet and compete against kids from over 30 states and over 15 countries all over the world. The team will be representing both their school and the state of Colorado on a truly global stage but they could use your help to get there - it costs over $1,000 per student to go!

Odyssey of the Mind is a judged, scored "STEAM" (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) problem solving program that teaches kids teamwork, creativity, and "thinking-outside-the-box." The kids do ALL the work themselves, as a team, to solve complex long-term problems. Our team has been working since November to build their robotic vehicle to go to a "drive in movie" -- the vehicle had to pick up a ticket, grab a concession, and enter into a kid-produced "cops and burgerlers" movie, all in the course of eight minutes! They also had to solve a "spontaneous" problem on the fly, showing their skills in teamwork, communication, and creativity.

All money raised will go toward supporting the team's trip to Iowa State through Colorado Odyssey, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your tax-deductible donation will help the kids experience all that Odyssey of the Mind has to offer at World Finals. Thank you for your support!

More information about Colorado Odyssey, Inc: A creative problem solving program for kids K-College, Odyssey of the Mind teams choose one long term problem to solve. In the process of solving their problem, children learn to think outside the box, work together to develop creative solutions to broadly defined problems, and present their solution in an 8 minute performance. Teams are rewarded for not just solving the problem, but for enhancing their solution with style and teams compete in an on-the-spot spontaneous problem as part of the competition.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international, non-profit, volunteer-lead, educational organization running a competitive, creative, problem-solving program for students from kindergarten to college.

And Olander's teams swept Regional and State tournaments for 1st and 2nd places after a challenging year full of growth, communication, learning, problem solving, spray painting, and a little bit of fun along the way.

Odyssey of the Mind teams choose one long term problem to solve. In the process of solving their problem, children learn to think outside the box, work together to develop creative solutions to broadly defined problems, and present their solution in an eight-minute performance. Teams are rewarded for not just solving the problem, but for enhancing their solution with style. Teams compete in an on-the-spot spontaneous problem as part of the competition. Awesome, right?!

The journey to Worlds is extraordinary: students refine their work based on feedback from judges, practice spontaneous problems, and continue cultivating their team relationships. It's a massive investment in time and money, and (from current students to adults remembering their childhood OM experiences) well worth it.

And that is why we are fundraising. We'll be hosting fundraising events (parties, plant sales), and are now asking you support the team here in any way possible, from cheers to cents to dollars! Please add a comment, donate, and share widely!

Friends, families, and local business - thank you for being a part of the Olander Elementary Odyssey of the Mind!

Please join us in helping get our teams to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Ames, IA in May!

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an academic program that focuses on creative problem solving, teamwork, and engineering skills to solve complex "problems" developed by the organization.

One St. Anne's team, comprised of 3rd and 4th graders, faced a problem of building a balsa wood structure and performed a skit explaining its discovery in deep space. The 8 inch high structure weighed 17g and held over 515 lbs!

The second St. Anne's team, made up of 4th and 5th graders, faced a problem of creating a skit around a rock band going on tour.

Both teams have worked incredibly hard on their problem since October, building props, constructing the balsa wood structure, and creating scripts to introduce and explain their stories complete with backdrops and costumes. As a result of their hard work, the Saint Anne's Episcopal School teams won First and Second place in their problem and division at the State Competition on April 6th!!

They've now been invited to compete at the World Finals Competition, where they will present their work alongside teams from 40 other states and 30 countries. To say we're proud is an understatement!! The competition is being held in Ames, Iowa and to help offset some of the costs and registration fees, our teams are fundraising. The team has approximately 1 month to try and raise nearly $20,000!!

More information about Colorado Odyssey, Inc:

A creative problem solving program for kids K-College, Odyssey of the Mind teams choose one long term problem to solve. In the process of solving their problem, children learn to think outside the box, work together to develop creative solutions to broadly defined problems, and present their solution in an 8 minute performance. Teams are rewarded for not just solving the problem, but for enhancing their solution with style and teams compete in an on-the-spot spontaneous problem as part of the competition.

Help Team Dragon go to Odyssey of the Mind World Finals! We placed 2nd at The Colorado OM State Tournament and are raising money to compete at World Finals in Ames, Iowa, May 20-25, 2024. Any donation will help make an impact.

More information about Colorado Odyssey, Inc: A creative problem solving program for kids K-College, Odyssey of the Mind children learn to think outside the box, work together to develop creative solutions to broadly defined problems, and present their solution in an 8 minute performance. #STEAM