Rowlett Students Excel at National Problem Solving Tourney

BRADENTON – Manatee County schools Rowlett Academy and the State College of Florida Collegiate School represented our state at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held at Iowa State University late last month.

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition where students work in groups of seven or less to present a solution to one of five problems. Students work on these solutions for six to eight months. Adults are not permitted to share ideas, help solve, or weigh in on any aspect of the problem-solving process. In addition to the long-term problem, students are also given a spontaneous problem to solve.

Rowlett Academy's first-year team (4th and 5th grade): Lauren Whiddon and Jake Whiddon, placed 3rd. Coached by Samantha Robinson and Rowlett Alumni and siblings, they participated in the Balsa Wood Structure Problem 4, Division 1, Animal House, where they created a structure weighing 15 grams that was able to hold 680 pounds, but it was the hilarious performance that earned the judges' favor.

Rowlett Academy's Alumni Team took 8th place in the Technical Problem 2, Emoji Speak for Yourself, Division III, coached by Christine Sket. Their performance told a story of a forgotten emoji using no words, only actions, and music. The team created devices to assist in telling the story, but the live musical duo of the violin and piano captivated the judges.

Rowlett Academy's other Alumni Team, Division III, reached a new level with the Balsa Wood Problem 4 by creating an electromagnet device that assisted in lifting weights to place on the crusher board that rests on the structure. This device earned the team the highest honors at State Finals, a Ranatra Fusca. The team faced tougher competition at World Finals but still managed to place 27th out of 46 teams.

Rowlett Academy’s principal, Dr. Chuck Fradley, was impressed by how well the teams finished in the competition.

"I could not be more proud of the Rowlett Academy students, past and present, who represented not only their school, but our community at the World OM competition," said Fradley. "These young people demonstrate the importance of hands-on, creative learning. Their dedication is inspiring."

State College of Florida Collegiate School finished 8th place in the Classical performance Division 3.

There are about 280 Odyssey of the Mind teams in the state of Florida, 33 of those teams attended World Finals, and seven of those teams are from the Manatee/Sarasota area. Other area schools participating in World Finals were: Sarasota Military Academy (3rd place in the Balsa Wood Problem Division 3); Bay Haven (19th place in the Balsa Wood Structure Problem 4); and Sarasota Christian (26th in the vehicle problem division 3).

You can view the performances here.