Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Finals?
The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is the final tournament of the Odyssey of the Mind season. Teams from Odyssey of the Mind Associations from throughout the U.S. and several countries compete. More details here.
Where and when is World Finals?
The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals are held at either Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan OR Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, in May. The site alternates each year. For 2025, Michigan State University will host the event, May 21-24.
If our team qualifies for the World Finals, how do we pay for the World Finals’ fees/travel/lodging?
Every effort will be made to cover some of the travel costs by fundraising. However, families may need to supplement this amount as well. The cost to attend World Finals can range from $1,500 - $2,500 (per child) depending on airfare, lodging, etc.
Who can participate?
Portland Odyssey Club currently supports middle and high school teams made up of Portland, Maine residents and/or students attending PPS . The Odyssey of the Mind organization and tournaments involve kindergarten through college students.
What are the benefits of participating?
Develop creative thinking and problem solving skills
Increase ability to apply known principles and facts to “hands-on” situations
Improve communication skills
Learn to plan and organize short and long term goals
Develop and utilize skills of all team members; gain sensitivity and experience with group dynamics
Develop and use local resources
Develop and use research skills
Work on a tight budget
Learn to take risks
Have fun while learning all of these very important skills!
How much does it cost to participate?
We offer a sliding scale for registration to ensure that all students can participate in Odyssey of the Mind, regardless of financial circumstances. You can choose from three fee levels: $75, $100, or $125. The sliding scale is designed to allow families to select the amount that best fits their budget.
If you're able, we encourage selecting the higher fee or making an additional donation. These contributions help us build our scholarship fund, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial need.
Your generosity directly supports students who may not otherwise have access to this creative, educational experience.
What does my registration fee cover?
The registration fee helps cover the annual National OM membership fee, administrative fees, supply costs, and a team t-shirt.
What is the time commitment?
Most teams start with weekly practices that are approximately 1.5 - 2 hours through January. Practice time will increase to multiple practices per week as the March tournament approaches.
Who can coach?
Most often coaches are parents of participating team members. In organizations with strong school support, teachers are often coaches. It is possible that other qualified adults with a special interest in, or experience with, OM could coach.
What is the role of a coach?
The coach (or coaches) will offer guidance and encouragement, and teach team members how to explore possibilities, listen to others, learn from failures, and evaluate solutions effectively. They can teach the team skills, such as sewing, painting, drilling, etc., but cannot direct the lesson to be specifically part of the solution. They cannot give the team ideas or assistance in developing the solution to the problem.The coach will provide supervision and handle logistics such as scheduling practices, making sure paperwork is done properly, and getting the team to the competition.
Where can I learn more about coaching a team?
This will bring you to the Maine Odyssey of the Mind Resources Page which includes the improved Coach’s Manual.
There will be a virtual Potential Coach Information Session, 10/28, 7:00pm.
Coaches Training, 11/16, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Lyman Moore
How can I help?
Coach - There will be a virtual Potential Coach Information Session, 10/28, 7:00pm. and Coaches Training, on 11/16, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Lyman Moore
Volunteer - fill in when a coach is absent, help the team learn a skill, etc.
Donate - snacks for practice are always needed, or give funds to support the program
Who actually does the work?
Team members come up with all the ideas for their solution and do all the work themselves. Coaches can assist with organization, scheduling, teaching needed skills, and practicing spontaneous problems.
What are the age divisions?
For Portland Odyssey Club, there are opportunities for teams of 6th-8th graders (Division II), and 9th -12th graders (Division III)
How many people are on a team?
Each team has 5-7 team members
How are the teams chosen?
Teams are formed by our Portland OM administrative team, in consultation with coaches, based on criteria such as previous participation, parent coach commitment, willingness to attend World Finals, availability for practices, and problem preference.
How are Problems chosen?
Problems are chosen by team coaches in consultation with other coaches and their team members.
Can more than one team select the same long-term problem?
The National registration covers five problems per Division (no duplicates); additional registration may be purchased. The Portland OM Club aims to keep costs affordable and avoid competition within the club whenever possible. Therefore, if we have five or fewer teams in a division, each must choose a different problem. Leadership will sort out how this is resolved on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if my child’s other activities conflict with OM practices or tournaments?
Odyssey of the Mind participation requires a commitment to the team. Team members rely on each other to be at practice as often as possible, in order to collectively make decisions, work on their problem, and build team unity. Teams will individually decide what days work best for practices in order to try to work around other activities. However, if your student is involved in several other activities during the winter and spring months, please consider carefully - before registering - whether or not a full commitment to the OM program can be made
What do you mean by Long Term Problem?
Teams work on this portion of the competition during a three to four month period prior to the presentation at the state/regional tournament. The Long-Term Problem is always open-ended yet with design specifications. The Long Term Problem categories are Vehicle, Technical, Classics, Structure, and Performance.
Click here to see synopses of the 2025 Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problems https://odysseyofthemind.com/problems/
What do you mean by Spontaneous Problem?
Spontaneous problems are given to teams on the day of the tournament to challenge the teams’ ability to “think on their feet”. Some require verbal responses to a given question, some require hands-on solutions and some combine both. You can find more information here.
What do you mean by “Outside Assistance”?
Teams are required to solve their problems completely independent of help from adults, other students, or their peers. Any ideas that are given, or work that is done by someone other than a team member is considered Outside Assistance and is prohibited. Teams may be penalized for it as part of their score at the tournament.
How are teams judged and scored?
Teams are judged on their long-term problem based on meeting the specific criteria of their problem. Points are given for creativity, design, characters, humor, and style.
When and where is the Northeast Regional Tournament?
The Northeast Regional Tournament will be held on April 5th, 2025. It is usually held in Southern Maine, but the exact location of the tournament has not yet been determined.
What is World Finals?
The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is the final tournament of the Odyssey of the Mind season. Teams from Odyssey of the Mind Associations from throughout the U.S. and several countries compete. https://omworldfinals.com/
Where and when is World Finals?
The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals are held at either Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan OR Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, in May. The site alternates each year. For 2025, Michigan State University will host the event, May 21-24.
If our team qualifies for the World Finals, how do we pay for the World Finals’ fees/travel/lodging?
Every effort will be made to cover some of the travel costs by fundraising. However, families may need to supplement this amount as well. The cost to attend World Finals can range from $1,500 - $2,500 (per child) depending on airfare, lodging, etc.
How much involvement is expected of parents or guardians?
Odyssey is very much a program that welcomes participation from our team’s parents and guardians. Our primary need is team coaches, but adults can also help with teaching the team skills, transportation to and from practice, snack donations, financial donations, fundraising events, etc. More tips for parents can be found here.
