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🧠 Odyssey of the Mind @ Key
✨ Registration for 2026–27 Is Open!
Registration closes Friday, October 16. Students in grades K–5 are welcome to participate.
Please include all days and times your child could realistically attend weekly practices so we can form teams with compatible schedules.
Teams are formed based on grade/division, schedules, team size, and available coaches. Families will receive team assignments and next steps once teams are formed.
✨ What Is Odyssey of the Mind?
Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is a creative problem-solving program where students work together as a team to solve challenges in their own way.
Throughout the season, teams choose a Long-Term Problem and spend several months designing, building, creating, writing, and preparing a solution that they present at a tournament.
They also practice Spontaneous problems — short challenges that ask students to think quickly, work together, and develop creative solutions on the spot.
One of the most important parts of OM is that the ideas and solutions belong to the students. Coaches guide the process, teach skills, and help keep the team organized, but students do the creative problem-solving themselves.
🎭 Explore This Year's OM Problems
Each year, Odyssey of the Mind introduces new Long-Term Problems that challenge teams to think creatively, build, perform, and solve problems together. Teams select one problem to work on throughout the season.
Here are the 2026–27 Long-Term Problems:
🚗 Problem 1: OMER's Shopping Service (Vehicle)
Teams create a shopping service featuring a vehicle that completes tasks such as taking orders, shopping for items, making substitutions, and unloading purchases.
🤖 Problem 2: Haywire Hijinx (Technical)
Teams create two animatronic devices that malfunction during a performance. One goes rogue, while the other helps correct its actions and save the day.
🏛️ Problem 3: Classics... Wonders of the Ancient World Awaken
Teams create a performance in which a historical character presents three Wonders of the Ancient World. The wonders come to life to correct the character's account and share lessons they can teach humanity.
🏗️ Problem 4: Copycat Structure (Structure)
Teams build and test a balsa wood structure designed to support weight, along with a copycat structure that imitates its actions during a performance.
🎵 Problem 5: The Musician (Performance)
Teams create a humorous musical performance featuring a musician, an instrument made from discarded materials, and original songs celebrating everyday life.
🌟 Primary Problem: Teamwork Effect
Designed for younger students, this problem challenges teams to create and wear costumes that present different images from different perspectives and times, culminating in a humorous ending.
📄 More Information
Learn more about how Odyssey of the Mind works, what students do, and what to expect during the season.
🐝 What Does the Season Look Like?
- Teams: Generally 4–7 students.
- Practices: Teams generally begin meeting in early November and practice once a week through the regional competition in March.
- Scheduling: Teams are formed based on grade/division, compatible schedules, team size, and available coaches.
- Coaches: Every team needs a parent coach or co-coaches. No previous OM experience is required.
- Season fee: $25 per student for the entire season. Payment may be made by cash, Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle.
🙋 Families Make OM Possible
Odyssey of the Mind is volunteer-run, and each team needs adult support. Families can help by:
- Coaching or co-coaching a team
- Serving as a tournament judge
- Volunteering for a 2-hour shift on competition day
- Assisting the coach at 1–2 team meetings
You can indicate how you may be able to help directly on the registration form.
✅ How to Register
Complete the Escuela Key OM Registration Form with your child's information, all possible weekly practice times, and any ways your family may be able to volunteer.
📅 Important 2026–27 Dates
October 24, 2026
Optional Coaches' Training
7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • Discovery Elementary
January 12, 2027
Optional Coaches' Meeting with Problem Captains
7:00–8:30 p.m. • Virtual
February 20, 2027
Required Judges' Training
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • Discovery Elementary
Snow date: February 27
March 6, 2027
Nova East Regional Tournament
All day • Discovery Elementary & Williamsburg Middle School
Snow date: March 13
March 2027 — Date TBD
Virginia State Tournament
For teams that advance from Regionals
May 2027 — Date TBD
Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
For teams that advance through the State Tournament
✉️ Questions?
Email odyssey@keypta.org
