Creative Problem Solving
Teams imagine original approaches instead of following a prescribed solution.
Maine Odyssey of the Mind
The way creativity should be.
Student-driven, creative problem solving that builds confidence, collaboration and the courage to think differently.
See what Odyssey is ↓
01 / WHAT
What is Odyssey?
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program where students work together to solve open-ended challenges with no single right answer.
Student Ownership
Students make the creative decisions. Adults guide without solving it for them.
Teamwork
Different strengths and ideas become something no one student could create alone.
Open-Ended Challenges
No answer key. Just constraints, possibilities and imagination.
02 / WHY
Why Odyssey Matters
Odyssey gives students room to experiment, revise, communicate, lead and become more confident problem-solvers.
Creativity
Generate, test and improve original ideas.
Critical & Analytical Thinking
Break complicated challenges into solvable pieces.
Collaboration
Listen, negotiate and combine different strengths.
Confidence
Watch an idea become real through your own effort.
Communication
Explain, present and advocate for ideas clearly.
Leadership
Move ideas from imagination to execution.
03 / HOW
How Odyssey Works
The question we hear most deserves the clearest answer on the site. Here is the entire journey at a glance.
Form a Team
5–7 students work together with adult coaches
Choose a Problem
Teams select one of the season’s open-ended Long-Term Problems.
Imagine, Design & Build
Students brainstorm, write, build, test and rehearse.
Bring It to Life
Teams present their original solution at a tournament.
Think on Your Feet
Teams also solve a Spontaneous problem they have never seen before.
Students own the solution.Adults coach the process.
Upcoming Events
Put the next date on your calendar.
OCT07
Meeting
Register Now →45th Maine Odyssey Season Kickoff
7:00 PM · Virtual
JAN15
Training
Register Now →2027 Maine Odyssey Nor'easter First Registration Deadline
All day
JAN31
Deadline
Register Now →2027 Maine Odyssey Nor'easter Final Registration Deadline
All day
Problem Preview
Explore This Season’s Problems
Every team chooses one Long-Term Problem and makes the solution entirely their own.
Teamwork Effect
Young teams create costumes that reveal different images at different moments and from different perspectives. An announcer helps explain the changing images, and the performance ends with a humorous surprise.
Primary / younger teams
OMER’s Shopping Service
Teams design one or more vehicles to act as a creative shopping service: take an order, collect requested items, deal with an unavailable item by choosing a substitute, check out and return to parking.
Haywire Hijinx
Teams create two animatronic characters. One goes rogue and makes its own decisions; the other must correct the trouble so the performance can continue. Each character also completes assigned tasks.
Classics…Wonders of the Ancient World Awaken
A historian presents three Wonders of the Ancient World and the lessons people have drawn from them. Then the Wonders come to life to correct the story and explain the lessons they believe humanity should remember.
Copycat Structure
Teams build a balsa-wood-and-glue structure to balance and hold weight, plus a lookalike copycat structure. During the performance, the copycat mirrors what happens to the tested structure.
The Musician
Teams create a humorous story about a musician who lifts a discouraged community by making an instrument from discarded items and celebrating ordinary life through music. A dancer, growing audience and finale complete the performance.
Ready for the next step?
Start a Team
Getting started should feel clear, not complicated. Form a team, secure a membership, choose a coach and start creating.
Find students→Get a membership→Choose a coach→Pick a problem
Start a Team →
Practice creativity on demand
Spontaneous Studio
Generate fresh Verbal, Hands-On and Combination practice problems. Studio source/reference material stays private; public practice packets live separately in Resources.
VerbalHands-OnCombination
Launch the Studio →Coaching SpontaneousThink fast. Build confidence.
Coaching a team to Spontaneous greatness takes time, patience and the right resources. Take at look at the Maine OM Spontaneous eBook for helpful tips.
Download the eBook
Resources
Find it here.
Guides, forms, coach support, tournament materials and public practice packets.
Explore Resources → Events & CalendarWhat’s next.
Trainings, deadlines, tournaments and important dates in an easy-to-scan list.
View Events → About Maine OdysseyOur team.
Our mission, vision and the volunteer leaders behind Maine Odyssey.
Learn About Us →