How do seven kids get from South Austin to Ames, Iowa? With creative problem solving, a movie, and your support!
They won first place at the Central Texas Regional competition.
They won first place at the Texas State competition.
They will represent their school, their community, Austin, and Texas at the 33rd annual Odyssey of the Mind: World Finals Competition this May 23rd-26th in Ames, IA.
This team of 4th and 5th graders from Barton Hills Elementary is the second Austin area team to ever qualify for Odyssey of the Mind: World Finals!
They call themselves the OMGs!
Help the OMGs Get to Iowa by Going to the Movies!
In partnership with the OMGs, Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar will screen The Muppet Movie (1979) on Wednesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be $10 and proceeds support the OMGs. In the spirit of Odyssey of the Mind, everyone is invited to dress up or create their own sock puppet! Creativity and hand-made materials are encouraged. More about the event here.
OMGs Movie Night@ Alamo Drafthouse South
1120 S Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
May 16, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Iowa or Bust
In order to be able to go to World Finals the team has less than a month to raise the funds to get there. It will cost $14,000 for registration costs and transportation for the kids, props and coaches. Working in partnership with the BHE PTA the OMGs have already raised $4000 in donations.
It’s a lot of money to raise in one short month. The OMGs are reaching out to the Austin Community to help them get to Iowa.
Can’t attend the movie on May 16? That’s okay! Donate NOW online here. Donations are tax deductible thanks to the BHE PTA.
What is Odyssey of the Mind?
Odyssey of the Mind (OotM) is a competition in creative thinking for kids from elementary school to college. Teams are judged on how well they meet challenges, on creativity, and on teamwork. The best part of OotM is that the adults must be hands off. The kids are in charge!
(Editor’s note: I was a volunteer team manager for a similar program, “Destination Imagination” last year, and it’s amazing how much kids can grow and learn from project-focused teamwork that puts them in charge of the final outcome. My shy Sam loved it.)
The Creative Challenge
OotM publishes 5 challenges each year. The Barton Hills team chose to tackle “Odyssey Angels.” To demonstrate their solution, the kids created a play complete with kid-built sets, costumes, and props. The play features the border between the land of the “sprites” and “marshmallows” where misunderstandings and disrespect are the norm. The “Angels” help these communities see the light! See more about the OMGs on Facebook.
Thanks for Salvador Castillo for sending the release!
