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 From balsa wood towers to epic poems and imaginative tall tales, Gates Chili Middle School students put their creativity to the test in the school’s first-ever Odyssey of the Mind program — and the results were nothing short of impressive.
Launched at the beginning of the school year, Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international creative problem-solving program for students from kindergarten through college. Teams of up to seven students work together over several months to solve open-ended, multidisciplinary challenges. These problems can range from building mechanical structures to reimagining classic stories, all while emphasizing teamwork, budgeting and innovation.
What makes OM unique is that students must complete every aspect of their project independently. They design and build their own sets, write their own scripts and gather materials — often turning to recycled items to stay within a strict budget.
“The kids come up with some amazing stuff,” said Rene Wazowicz, GCMS speech pathologist and OM advisor. “It’s wild to see what they can build on their own.”
Two GCMS teams tackled the Structure problem, building balsa wood creations designed to hold as much weight as possible, while incorporating their designs into a performance centered on hosting a party. Another team selected the Classics problem, creating an original epic poem that followed a team-designed quest. Briana K.’s group brought their story to life with characters including a young boy, a pet duck and a giant purple cat.
“I like how I was able to get creative with all of it,” she said. “I didn’t feel confined to one specific thing.”
 The fourth team chose the Performance problem, crafting a humorous tall tale featuring a heroic character and a surprising twist. Their story used creative weather effects, including rain to represent sadness and a rainbow to signal a happy ending, to enhance the narrative.
After months of after-school work and planning, the teams presented their solutions at a regional competition in March. In addition to their prepared performances, students also tackled a spontaneous problem on the spot, testing their quick thinking and teamwork under pressure.
For many students, the experience has sparked a lasting interest in creative problem-solving. As the program wraps up its first successful season, participants are already looking ahead — eager to build, create and imagine what’s possible next year.
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