World Finals are next stop for Odyssey team

students in Zoom meeting

A team of seventh graders from Bethlehem Central Middle School is headed to the virtual 2021 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Odyssey of the Mind is known as the world’s greatest problem-solving program for students. The BC team earned the invitation to the World Finals by winning both the regional and New York State Odyssey of the Mind tournaments, held online this year. 

The BCMS team members are:

  • Amelia Beiter
  • Ezra Cotton
  • Charlie LaDue
  • Jackson Miller
  • Sierra Obernesser
  • Oliver Reichman
  • Tyler St Cyr

Rebecca Beiter and Allison Reichman are coaches of the Odyssey team.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem-solving competition that stresses creative thinking, perseverance, and teamwork. Teams must solve one of five problems within an eight-minute skit that includes student-created props, sets and costumes as well as solve a spontaneous logic-based problem.

This year, the challenge for the BC team was to construct an 8-inch structure made of lightweight balsa wood that would support as many weights as possible placed on top of it. Their 14.7-gram structure held 500 pounds and their candy-themed props and costumes earned high marks from the judges.

Any parent interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind or starting a team next fall should contact the district Odyssey coordinator, Rebecca Beiter (rbeiter@bethlehemschools.org).

We wish the team the best of luck as they embark on their World Finals journey!