1995-96 Odyssey of the Mind Teams

The High School team did a problem called "Amusin' Crusin'"

This problem requires teams to design, build and drive a vehicle on two journeys that will take a driver(s) to see "attractions" that are part of a team-created theme. In addition to transporting the driver(s) past, through or as part of the attractions, the vehicle will perform required and team-created tasks. The time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $100 (U.S.)value. (Divisions I, II, III)

For the style scoring the team had to write a short paragraph describing their skit to give to the judges. Their style synopsis went a little something like this...

   "An action packed thrill ride...The suspense grips you and won't let go until the very end!" raves the New York Times. "Two thumbs up. Way up!" say Siskel and Ebert. See the skit nominated for 8 academy awards, including best soundtrack. In the classic style of Frankenstein and Jurassic park, a tale of science gone wrong. Working late one night, a scientist makes an amazing breakthrough. He creates a bridge between man and machine - a bridge that was never meant to be. When worlds collide, two heroes from different universes join forces to battle a danger that threatens to destroy them, and everything else in it's path. Who will emerge triumphant in this microcosmic melodrama? Only eight minutes will tell.

The skit did deliver on the soundtrack. The team got bold this year and performed a short musical number during the set up. Here are the lyrics, sung to the tune of "King of Spain" by Moxy Fruumlvous.

Once I was a simple game
(Now he's gone to villainy)
Look at me not, it's bad for the iris,
(Now he's gone to villainy)
I'm telling you I was a simple game
(Now he's gone to villainy)
And now I am an evil virus.

1..2..3..4.. (ba da da da, boum boum ba da... etc.)

You see late, one night, when the scientist was asleep,
He nudged a magnet off his desk, it fell on me and I weep,
Binary numbers 0's and 1's are flying around like happy songbirds,
It left me as a virus, you should have stayed with papyrus,
So next time you see a troubled mind,
Remember it's not his fault he is lost,
You'll be lucky if you're left with DOS!

Once I was a simple game,
(Now he's gone to villainy)
I didn't want this fate to befall me,
(Now he's gone to villainy)
I'm telling you I was a simple game,
(Now he's gone to villainy)
My name's picasso that's what they call me,
(Once he was a simple game)

Here is an interesting poem that was written by one of the parents of the kids on our team.


Elementary School Team
The Elementary School team did a problem called "Great Impressions"

For this problem the team selected a drawing or painting by a French Impressionist artist and wrote a poem relating to it. The team also selected a poem written by a famous author, created an original drawing or painting that relates to the poem, and presented the poem and work of art. Time limit is 8 minutes. Materials used cannot exceed a $95 (U.S.) value for Divisions I, II and III. Division IV has no cost limit. (Divisions I, II, III, IV)