Sonoma County Focus – Norcal Odyssey of the Mind 2024

Host Michelle Marques talks with Danny Wright, Assistant Coach for Hidden Valley Elementary's Odyssey of the Mind team. Odyssey of the Mind is a program for students from primary to college age, that presents unique scenarios for teams to solve. Each year there are a new set of problems for teams to work on, and each problem could involve science, art, mathematics, engineering, and/or technology. Danny's team worked on a problem called "Opening Night Antics" which required the team to write and perform a play featuring planned set malfunctions, unexpected sound effects, and a theater critic. The play was also based on a classic story. Team members spend months working on the script, making costumes, sets, and rehearsing for competition. Additionally, the team must complete a Spontaneous challenge that they will get on the day of the competition. Scores from both Long Term and Spontaneous challenges determine who will go on to the State and ultimately World Competitions. Hidden Valley Elementary did well at the State competition, and is an alternate for the World Competition this year! Learn more about how your student can get involved, or how you can become a coach by visiting Norcal Odyssey of the Mind.