Watertown to Host Odyssey of the Mind Competition

On Saturday, March 7, 2026 (snow date: Saturday, March 14, 2026), students from Regions 8 and 9 will gather at Case Middle School in Watertown to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills during the annual Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition.

The event will feature teams of students who have spent months preparing by solving open-ended problems that challenge them to think critically, work collaboratively, and develop innovative solutions. Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program that emphasizes teamwork, independent thinking, and the application of academic knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Throughout the day, students will present original performances that may include creative costumes, props, music, dance, engineering elements, and storytelling — all developed within a strict budget limit to encourage resourcefulness and innovation.

In addition to their long-term projects, teams will also compete in a “Spontaneous Problem”, where they are given a new challenge on the spot and must respond with quick thinking,creativity, and teamwork.

The competition will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the Awards Ceremony scheduled for approximately 1:30 p.m. The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals will be held at Michigan State University in May 2026.

Spectators are welcome to attend and support the students. Parents, coaches, judges,teachers, and community members all play an important role in making this event a success and in fostering an environment where students can explore creativity, support the arts, and develop lifelong skills.

For more information visit www.odysseyofthemind.com.  

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