Odyssey teams to compete this Saturday

GOSHEN — The Mid-Hudson Regional Odyssey of the Mind Competition (New York State Region 5) will take place at the Orange-Ulster BOCES Emanuel Axelrod Education Center and the Career and Technical Education Center on Gibson Road in Goshen on Saturday, March 10 (snow date Sunday, March 11).
Nearly 500 local students, making up 71 teams from 13 schools in Orange and Dutchess Counties, will challenge each other in the day-long competition, which begins at 8 a.m.
Odyssey of the Mind is an intellectual contest of creativity, resourcefulness, mental acuity and expression. The purpose of the competition is on creative problem-solving using a team approach. It is based on the concept that “mind games” can be played with as much enthusiasm and competitive spirit as athletic games.
The problems are divided into five categories that include both long-term and spontaneous problem-solving. An overview of the 2018 long-term problems is provided as well as a list of participating school districts. Teams are scored on a combination of points earned from long-term solutions, spontaneous solutions and style. Three awards ceremonies are scheduled; the first one beginning at 3 p.m. the second at 4 p.m. and the third at 5 p.m. (These times may be subject to change. The awards ceremonies will take place in the auditorium in the Emanuel Axelrod Education Building.
All competition schedules, award ceremony information, participating school districts, and other pertinent details can be found on the Orange-Ulster BOCES website at www.ouboces.org. Click on the Odyssey of the Mind link in the “Featured” section on the homepage.
First-place winners in each problem and division will advance to the New York State Odyssey of the Mind Tournament on April 7 at SUNY Binghamton.