Gifted and talented students from Stanhope embark on Odyssey of the Mind

Stanhope — The Gifted and Talented students in grades 3 through 8 from Valley Road School, in Stanhope, recently participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. This group event promotes teamwork and the appreciation and understanding of others. The students also develop a sense of self-respect and respect for others. This specific program was developed to enhance problem-solving skills and foster original divergent thinking. Collaborating in teams of five to seven students, Odyssey participants select and spend several months solving one of five long-term problems designed and distributed each year. Each team creates a solution to the problem and then presents their solution at the competition, matched against other teams that are in their age/grade category. The team is judged in three areas: long-term solution, style and spontaneous, “thinking on their feet.” This year, grades 3 and 4 won first place in the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition, held on March 24, at the Crossroads Middle School, Monmouth Junction. They are now eligible to participate in the state finals on Saturday, April 14, at Ewing High School, Ewing.