A team from Bethlehem Central High School recently placed 2nd at the New York State Odyssey Finals tournament in Syracuse and will advance to the World Finals at Iowa State University in May. The BCHS team includes Jeremy Cintron Ortiz, Bridger Lewis, Stephanie Piccolo, Nex Cridlig, Rayne Beiter, and Sierra Obernesser.
The team was tasked with designing and building a balsa wood structure that could hold as much weight as possible. During a humorous performance, the structure was tested to see how much weight it could bear. The high school team managed to build a structure weighing only 14 grams that held over 300 pounds. This feat was not an easy one as the team had to balance creativity with functionality while incorporating props, costumes, acting and humor into their presentation.
In addition to the high school team, four teams from the middle school also competed at the tournament. One of these teams placed 3rd in their problem and division consisting of Liam Singh, Katie VanApeldoorn, Owen Tarrier, James Richman, and Ann Hu. The middle school teams also showcased their skills in solving problems creatively while adding an element of fun to their performances.
Congratulations to all the BC Odyssey teams for their impressive performance at the tournament! It’s amazing what students can achieve when they put their minds to it. For those interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind or if you have any questions about how you can get involved with this exciting competition in your community or district schools please contact Rebecca Beiter at rbeiter@bethlehemschools.org. Best of luck to the BCHS Odyssey team as they prepare for the Odyssey World Finals in May!
