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Clubs
Odyssey of the Mind
| Odyssey of the Mind is a program which challenges students to
“think outside the box” to solve a problem. This international
program, which just celebrated it's 30th anniversary
gives students the chance to think creativity by solving one of
five problems. While the overall themes stay the same, the
problems change from year to year. There is no one right solution
to an Odyssey of the Mind problem. Odyssey of the Mind is also an
adult “hands off” in which coaches serve as guides but the
solution (and all the pieces to it) come from only the team
members. |
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Odyssey of the Mind is open to all ages
competing at five different levels. At St. Mary's our students compete in
Division II, the middle school level (grades 6-8). In the three years that
Odyssey of the Mind has been back at St. Mary's Academy, our numbers have
grown from 12 students to 18 and from 2 teams to 3. This year will be
sending 18 students competing in three different problems to our regional
competition on Saturday, February 27th at Rensselaer Central
School with the hopes of advancing to the state level at Binghamton
University on March 27th and even advancing to the World Finals
in Michigan May 26th-29th.
Interested in learning more? Stop by a
meeting and check us out or come and cheer us on at our Regional
competition on February 27th! We'll be the ones showing off
Eagle pride.
Why Odyssey of the Mind is Good for Kids
The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to
learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the
process. For more than twenty five years, this unique program has
helped teachers generate excitement in their students. 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 Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently
by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of
interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think
creatively to solve those problems. They are free to express their
ideas and suggestions without fear of criticism. The creative
problem-solving process rewards thinking "outside of the box."
While conventional thinking has an important place in a
well-rounded education, students need to learn how to think
creatively and productively. |
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Math Club
| Mrs. Merwin conducts the Math Club at SMA. The club
incorporates students from Grades 5 - 8 and is exceptionally great
for the motivated student. The Math Club meets two times
each week after school. Students benefit from the supportive
learning environment where incremental progress and the building
of a strong foundation for a student's academic career are
emphasized. |
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| Learning critical thinking can be fun! |
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