Each year, this team of creative fifth-grade students has spent months iterating and perfecting a solution to a long-term problem that required engineering and building an autonomous vehicle without any “outside assistance” from adults or others.

 

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition. This incredible team of girls is sponsored by the DC Chapter of the Women in IP Network (WIN). WIN DC's mission is to be a positive, personal, professional network, changing IP law for the better. Women in IP Network is supportive of our team of aspiring young women engineers and inventors. This team of creative fifth graders hail from several local elementary schools including Glebe Elementary, Discovery Elementary, St. Agnes Catholic School, and Flint Hill Elementary School.

 

For their solution, this team of creative kids developed a vehicle that drove independently to a drive in movie theatre acquiring a ticket, concessions, backing into a parking and even joining the movie being shown at the theatre. As part of their solution, they also developed a humorous 8-minute performance with a cast of 7 characters wearing team-designed and constructed costumes and set. The Odyssey experience has taught these girls that they can achieve big goals with determination and hard work. It has given them opportunities for collaboration and developing strong leadership skills.

 

The team’s inventive solution and dynamic presentation won FIRST PLACE at the Virginia State Tournament for their problem/division! Their win at the State Tournament qualifies the team to advance to the Odyssey of the Mind WORLD FINALS.

 

To learn more, visit the Virginia Odyssey of the Mind website.