ODYSSEY
OF THE MIND
Build stuff. Get weird. Win trophies.
What Is Odyssey of the Mind?
Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition. Teams of up to seven students spend several months creating and presenting an original solution that may combine engineering, building, storytelling, performance, art, and design.
At competition, teams also solve a "spontaneous problem" on the spot — no adult help allowed. It's improv meets engineering meets theater.
Teams are made up of students from Montgomery Elementary, Kittredge Magnet, and Chamblee Middle, with opportunities for students from other area public and private schools to participate. Contact us to learn more.
Competition Dates
Teams first compete at the regional level in Flowery Branch, GA, in early March (exact date TBD). Teams that place there advance to State in mid-March in Columbus, GA (date TBD). Teams that place at State are eligible for the annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.
What to Expect: Time & Commitment
We want new families to walk in with clear eyes — Odyssey of the Mind is a real commitment, and it's also an incredibly rewarding experience.
Practice schedules vary by grade. Weekend collaboration sessions run approximately 2 hours.
- 1st–2nd & 3rd–5th grade: Wednesdays after school for skill-building, plus weekend team collaboration — 12 trainer-led Wednesday sessions and 12–15 weekend meetings throughout the season
- 6th–8th grade: weekend team collaboration sessions only — 15–18 sessions throughout the season, with additional practices scheduled as needed
The competition-team commitment runs approximately six months: from team formation in September through the regional and state competition season in March. Teams advancing to World Finals continue through late May.
Coaches guide, teach, and support the process, but students are responsible for creating, building, and presenting their own solutions.
Families help make the experience possible through transportation, scheduling around tournaments and events, volunteering, and taking a turn providing team snacks.
A lot of the building happens at home, between practices. Your kid may come home with an unfinished prop, a half-painted backdrop, or a costume piece that needs glue-gunning. That's normal — it's part of the process, not extra homework.
The take-home building
Yes, there may be work between team sessions, but it does not look like worksheets. It may involve cardboard, costumes, scripts, painting, research, or testing an idea.
Parents can provide a safe workspace, approved tools, transportation, materials, and encouragement, but they cannot design, build, paint, write, or fix any part of the team's solution. Even when a student is working at your kitchen table, the creative decisions and work must remain entirely student-created.
My son designed a set piece large and sturdy enough for a teammate to climb inside using only pool noodles, duct tape, and a hula hoop. I had no idea he could do that.
— Kim Conte, parent
Why kids love it
- They build a real thing that actually works — and they get to be as weird and creative as they want
- Every team's solution looks completely different — there's no "right" answer
- Skits, costumes, props, and inside jokes with their teammates all season
- Competing (and winning trophies!) at regional and beyond
- Making close friends with kids who like to build and imagine as much as they do
Programs & fees
Students in grades 1–5 who are new to the program are encouraged to begin with Intro to OM, which is a 3-session opportunity to experience creative problem-solving before auditions. Middle-school students and eligible returning students may register directly for team auditions.
| Intro to OM3 after-school sessions: Aug 26, Sep 2, Sep 9 — leads into the Sep 12 team audition | $100 |
| 1st–2nd Grade Team25 sessions: 12 after-school (trainer-led) + 12 weekend (coach-led) + season celebration | $500 |
| 3rd–5th Grade Team25 sessions, same structure as 1st–2nd grade | $585 |
| 6th–8th Grade Team14–18 weekend sessions: spontaneous practice, team collaboration, weekly deliverables + celebration | $600 |
| State Finals advancement feeOnly if your team advances to State | $150 |
| World Finals packageOnly if your team qualifies for World Finals (Lansing, MI — May 26–29, 2027) | $1,250 |
Payment plans of up to 6 monthly installments are available for all competition teams, or you may pay in full upfront.
Quick FAQ
Do I need to know how to build things?
No. Coaches guide the process. Kids problem-solve; you mostly supply glue sticks and encouragement.
What if we miss a practice?
Life happens — communicate with your team's coach as soon as possible. Consistent attendance matters because every team member plays a critical role in building skills, trust, and teamwork. One absence won't derail the team, but frequent missed practices can affect everyone's progress. We ask all team members to attend every practice they can and make attendance a priority.
How much of this is really "at home"?
Expect some take-home building most weeks. It's usually 30–60 minutes.
What happens at the audition?
Students give a short prepared creative presentation and take part in a collaborative spontaneous challenge, then meet prospective teammates and coaches. Parents get a chance to ask about schedule, cost, and commitment. A parent or guardian must attend with their student. Please note that team placement is not simply based on performance ability. It also considers student readiness, interests, grade level, collaboration style, team balance, coach availability, and available space.
Ready to try it?
Grades 1–5: Register for Intro to OM
Register for Intro to OM →Returning & middle-school students: Register for Team Auditions
Register for Team Auditions →