Thomas W. Pyle MS Participates In The Odyssey Of Mind Competition

From Montgomery Schools:Two teams from Thomas W. Pyle Middle School placed at the top of the field at the Maryland State competition of The Odyssey of the Mind on Sunday, March 19. Both teams now advance to the World Competition in May which will be held at Michigan State University.

Placing first in two competitions, "Problem 4: Ready, Set, Balsa, Build!” and "Problem 5: To Be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” was the Stephan/Charlton team lead by parent volunteers Rita Stephan and Dave Charlton. Photo of the team receiving one of the awards from Ike Legget, County Executive.

Placing second in the "Problem 1: Catch Us If You Can” competition was "Sisterhood of EViL: Environmental Vagabonds in Leadership" team lead by parent volunteer Lorin Kavanaugh-Ulku.

Starting last October, each team worked to master problems that the students selected, doing all the work on their own with minimal guidance and no assistance from their coaches. The preparation was long but full of fun and satisfying accomplishments. Best of all, the success at the State Competition was achieved through a team effort of which all team members can be proud.

Congratulations to the teams and the coaches!

The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students creative teamwork and problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. By tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems - great and small - for a lifetime.

The Stephan/Charlton team competes using the quick thinking and creativity of the following students:

• Chris Assiryani, 7th grade
• Zoey Charlton, 7th grade
• Jenny Cook, 7th grade
• Kat Koumbourlis, 7th grade
• Tyler Lewis, 7th grade
• Karla Stephan, 7th grade
• Gabriel Caraballo, 7th grade

The "Sisterhood of EViL” team competes using the quick thinking and creativity of the following students:

• Rhea Bhattacharjee, 8th grade
• Jorian Benke, 8th grade
• Kailin Flowers, 8th grade
• Lucy Goldberg, 8th grade
• Iris Sun, 8th grade
• Leyla Ulku, 8th grade
• Amy Zhai, 8th grade

Image Via Pixabay