Rubber band powered devices were high stakes business on Saturday, March 28 at the Odyssey of the Mind State Finals in Sanford. Six Wiscasset Primary School students presented their solution to the engineering problem, "Experiencing Technical Difficulties,” and successfully solved a spontaneous problem as a team, taking second place in the Division I Finals. Their hard work two weeks earlier had placed them third in a regional competition.

Over the past several months these third and fourth graders used wit, intellect and creativity to solve the long term problem. They have also tirelessly practiced quick, creative problem solving and team building.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state and world level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and around the world participate in the program.

Placing second at the State Finals qualified the WPS team to move on to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Lansing, Michigan. This young team has participated in Odyssey for three years and were completely surprised by the possibility of a World Finals trip! Upon reflection and careful consideration, the team members and their parents have decided to explore Boston in lieu of a trip to World Finals. They plan to raise funds and prepare for next year, so that all team members and their guardians can attend, should they qualify.

Please contact Natalie Allen (penmola@gmail.com) if you would like to make a donation for the spring trip to Boston or would like information about getting your child involved in Odyssey of the Mind.