On February 27 and 28, the 37th World Odyssey of the Mind Chinese finals cum 28th Shanghai Odyssey of the Mind Innovation Contest was held in Shanghai. The unprecedented event was participated by a total of 408 teams from 14 Chinese provinces/autonomous regions, Germany, and Russia.
The Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Odyssey of the Mind Club sent two teams, composed mostly of University of Michigan- SJTU Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI) students, to the China finals. After fierce competitions, both teams stood out among 29 college teams. The team led by JI sophomore Junyi Xu won the second prize in the device group and the team led by JI freshman Long Sheng won the first prize in the classics group which will represent China as a national champion to attend the 2016 World Odyssey of the Mind to be held at Iowa State University in May.
Both SJTU teams not only delivered outstanding performance in terms of device design, use of technology, artistic creativity, live performance and teamwork, but also gave creative answers to impromptu questions based on solid academic background. They won high praises from the judges.
The Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Odyssey of the Mind Club sent two teams, composed mostly of University of Michigan- SJTU Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI) students, to the China finals. After fierce competitions, both teams stood out among 29 college teams. The team led by JI sophomore Junyi Xu won the second prize in the device group and the team led by JI freshman Long Sheng won the first prize in the classics group which will represent China as a national champion to attend the 2016 World Odyssey of the Mind to be held at Iowa State University in May.
Both SJTU teams not only delivered outstanding performance in terms of device design, use of technology, artistic creativity, live performance and teamwork, but also gave creative answers to impromptu questions based on solid academic background. They won high praises from the judges.
Showcase of the classics group
The Odyssey of the Mind competition is divided into two categories: spontaneous questions and long-term problems. In spontaneous questions, team members give creative answers by combining animals and objects. SJTU teams gave original answers such as “frogs on a tree become tree frogs” and “a lion with bad haircut can only use a pencil to draw his mane.” In the long-term problems, SJTU’s classics team played out a witty battle between Cleopatra and the Roman generals, with the backdrop of the wars between Egypt and Rome depicted on a cyclorama of ancient Egypt. The SJTU device team performed “The hunter and the magic lake” with clever use of various materials, artistic creativity and expression.
Academician Shilie Weng watching the SJTU team’s performance
Before the award ceremony, Weng Shilie, former SJTU president and Chairman of the Chinese Association of Odyssey of the Mind, visited the tournament. He was particularly interested in SJTU teams’ performance, asking many questions and recognizing students’ scientific and technological creativity. He wished good luck to the SJTU team on their World Finals in 3 months.
Founded in the USA, the Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. It aims to foster students’ bold innovations, hands-on capabilities, team work and sportsmanship. The program has been increasingly popular around the globe. Last year, Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng also met with the winning teams of the World finals and supported the Shanghai Odyssey of the Mind.
The SJTU Odyssey of the Mind Club was initiated by JI sophomore Junyi Xu last year. Within a year, it has become one of the most popular student clubs on campus. The association has been committed to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship education for undergraduates through a second classroom, providing a good practice platform for participating teams to develop creativity, innovation and teamwork spirit. It has been quite helpful in promoting innovative thinking and practical capability for the young people.
Founded in the USA, the Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. It aims to foster students’ bold innovations, hands-on capabilities, team work and sportsmanship. The program has been increasingly popular around the globe. Last year, Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng also met with the winning teams of the World finals and supported the Shanghai Odyssey of the Mind.
The SJTU Odyssey of the Mind Club was initiated by JI sophomore Junyi Xu last year. Within a year, it has become one of the most popular student clubs on campus. The association has been committed to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship education for undergraduates through a second classroom, providing a good practice platform for participating teams to develop creativity, innovation and teamwork spirit. It has been quite helpful in promoting innovative thinking and practical capability for the young people.
