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Odyssey of the Mind

Advisor: Abbey Goldin 

 

Where: Mrs. Goldin’s room (202)

 

Who:  All Buford Middle School students!

 
When: Every Monday that school is in session from 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
 
Dates of Meetings: ​Every Monday that school is in session, beginning on the first Monday in September and ending the last Monday in March.
 
Student Pickup: Families may pick up students in the front of the building under the portico​ promptly at 4:00 p.m. Students are not permitted to leave campus using a rideshare service unless a parent or adult guardian is riding with them. This includes, but is not limited to, Uber and Lyft services.
 
“Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else ever thought.” — Albert Einstein
 
Special Notes: 
 

Welcome to the Buford Middle School Odyssey of the Mind program! OM is an international creative problem-solving competition where students team up to brainstorm, build, and perform innovative solutions to unique open-ended challenges.

Interest Meeting Details - Are you ready to think outside the box? Join us for our upcoming interest meeting! Monday, September 14th from 2:45 - 3:30 pm in Mrs. Goldin’s RM (202). Student pickup in the front office drive at 3:30 pm.

*If you plan to attend or are interested in joining, please complete the Odyssey of the Mind Interest Form before the meeting!

What is Odyssey of the Mind?

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) helps students become confident, creative problem-solvers. Teams of up to seven students select one of five long-term problem categories (ranging from mechanical design and structural builds to artistic or humorous performances).

OM Skills

  • Long-Term Challenges: Spend months designing, building, and scripting an original solution.
  • Spontaneous Thinking: Practice quick, on-the-spot problem-solving activities during practice sessions.
  • Real-World Skills: Learn project management, budgeting, public speaking, and team collaboration.

Schedule & Commitment

  • Who Can Join: All Buford Middle School students!
  • Weekly Practices: Mondays after school from 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM.
  • Season Duration: Practices run weekly throughout the fall and winter leading up to the Regional Competition in the spring.
  • Registration Fee: $150 per student (Payable on MySchoolBucks, cash, or check).

How Competition Works

  • Form Teams: Up to 7 students form a team and choose 1 of 5 long-term problems.
  • Prepare: Work collaboratively on building props, writing scripts, and refining solutions.
  • Compete: Showcase your team's solution at the Regional Tournament.
  • Advance: Top-placing teams advance to the Georgia State Finals, with winners moving on to World Finals! BMS had 2 teams representing the state of Georgia last year!

Team Expectations 

  • Be Prepared: Arrive at weekly practices ready to work and brainstorm.
  • Respect & Collaborate: Every team member's voice and ideas matter.
  • Stay Committed: Commit to attending practices through the competition season.

Why You Should Join

  • Build Skills: Sharpen your critical thinking, engineering, and artistic abilities.
  • Make Friends: Work closely with peers who share your passion for creativity.
  • Gain Confidence: Practice public speaking and learning to adapt under pressure.
  • Represent BMS: Showcase your talent and compete against teams across the region!

Have questions about BMS Odyssey of the Mind? 

BMS Sponsor: Mrs. Abbey Goldin — [email protected]