PLEASANT HILL, Calif. -- Seven Contra Costa County public schools won their divisions at the Odyssey of the Mind NorCal State competition which was held on March 26. In addition, 23 teams from Contra Costa County schools advanced to compete in the World Finals, May 25-28, at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
“Congratulations to the teams that won their categories and the ones that are moving on to the World Finals,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “It is inspiring to see students using their ingenuity and creativity, and work together to create solutions. Good luck at the World Finals!”
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition run by parents for students and community group members of all ages and learning levels. Teams of up to seven students work together to create solutions for long-term problems within general rules and guidelines in five categories (called “problems”): vehicle, technical, classical art and literature, structure, and performance. Teams compete against other teams in the same divisions. The grade levels determine the division: division 1 is grades K-5; division 2 is grades 6-8; division 3 is grades 9-12.
The NorCal State Tournament awards ceremony was held virtually on YouTube on March 27 and was hosted by the NorCal State Odyssey of the Mind Association.
The teams that place in the top three in all divisions in every category advance to the World Finals in Iowa.
NorCal State Tournament Awards, March 26, 2022
NorCal World Finalist Teams
Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Problem #1 – Escape vroOM (Vehicle)
Division 1
2nd – Burton Valley Elementary School Team B (Lafayette School District)
3rd – Glorietta Elementary School (Orinda Union School District)
Division 2
1st – Edna Hill Middle School (Brentwood Union School District)
3rd – M.H. Stanley Middle School Team A (Lafayette School District)
Division 3
2nd – California High School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
Problem #2 – Odyssey reOMvention (Technical)
Division 1
1st – Alamo Elementary School Team A (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
2nd – Walt Disney Elementary School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
3rd – Wagner Ranch Elementary School Team B (Orinda Union School District)
Division 2
3rd – Edna Hill Middle School (Brentwood Union School District)
Problem #3 – The Musical Performance (Classics)
Division 1
2nd – Mary Casey Black Elementary School (Brentwood Union School District)
Division 2
1st – M.H. Stanley Middle School Team A (Lafayette School District)
2nd – Pine Valley Middle School Team A (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
Problem #4 – Matryoshka Structure (Structure)
Division 1
1st – Walnut Acres Elementary School (Mt. Diablo Unified School District)
2nd – Walt Disney Elementary School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
Division 2
1st – Edna Hill Middle School
Problem #5 – Life is a Circus! (Performance)
Division 1
1st – Mt. Diablo Elementary School (Mt. Diablo Unified School District)
2nd – Burton Valley Elementary School Team A (Lafayette School District)
3rd – Alamo Elementary School Team B (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
Division 2
1st – William B. Bristow Middle School (Brentwood Union School District)
2nd – Windemere Ranch Middle School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
3rd – J. Douglas Adams Middle School (Brentwood Union School District)
Division 3
1st – California High School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
2nd – BUSD Alumni – Liberty High School (Liberty Union High School District)