Hello! Thank you for your interest in the Odyssey of the Mind program in Illinois.

As a group made up of educators, former couches and participants, and community leaders, we have witnessed firsthand the educational value of the Odyssey of the Mind program (which many of us refer to as OotM). In 1978, Odyssey of the Mind helped pioneer the idea of creative problem solving as an educational tool. Since that time, we've grown from a small local organization to one that has affected the lives of millions of students around the world. We grow stronger each year because we provide learning opportunities that allow students to apply their talents and strengths to solving "problems" that appeal to their own interests.

Many educators use the program to bring creative problem solving into their regular curricula or to enhance learning in extra-curricular programs. More than being a learning tool, the benefits of participation are innumerable. Odyssey of the Mind:

• Builds teamwork skills such as cooperation and thoughtfulness.
• Teaches self-respect and respect for others.
• Improves thinking skills.
• Builds confidence and increases self-esteem.
• Provides an environment where students can express their ideas without criticism.
• Makes students more detail-oriented and inclined to do their best.
• Makes learning fun!

Over twenty schools in Illinois are already taking advantage of the learning opportunities provided by our program. While it is common for Gifted and Talented programs to integrate Odyssey of the Mind problem solving into their curriculum, we believe that all students can benefit from participation. In this time of budget cuts for many districts, schools can retain arts education, technology, and other subjects by incorporating them into Odyssey of the Mind problem solutions. Additionally, the Odyssey of the Mind conforms to National educational standards as well as those of Illinois.

For more information on the types of problems, rules of the program, and how to get started with Odyssey of the Mind in your own school or local organization, please click the links to the left for more information.

Feel free to Contact Us with any questions. We are happy to help in any way possible. Thanks for your interest!

Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Illinois Odyssey of the Mind Association
Presented by Illinois Knowledge Quest, Inc.
director.il.odyssey@gmail.com