A recent victory in a state tournament by the Odyssey of the Mind team at The Children’s School in La Jolla will send those students to the world finals at Michigan State University in May.

Ashley Tousignant, director of marketing and communications for The Children’s School, an independent, progressive toddler-8 school, noted, “Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition that challenges students to use critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation. Students work in teams to develop solutions to long-term problems that involve engineering, performance, and artistic design, all while adhering to specific guidelines and constraints.

“The program encourages students to think outside the box, fostering creativity, collaboration, and resilience. Through the competition, students build valuable skills in problem-solving and communication, preparing them for future academic and professional success.”

Tousignant added that the school’s Odyssey of the Mind team “Impressed the judges with their imaginative approach to this year’s state problem, featuring captivating ‘celestial’ characters and a unique, well-executed solution. Their performance demonstrated ingenuity, collaboration, and creativity.”

“This is such an incredible accomplishment,” concurred John Fowler, head of school at The Children’s School. “This is the first time in school history that we have had a team reach the world finals. Their ability to think outside the box and work together to overcome challenges is incredible. We can’t wait to see them showcase their creativity on a global stage.”

Student Odyssey of the Mind team members also shared their excitement about the competition and their journey to the world finals. “My favorite part was performing,” said Ben. “I loved how all my team was able to express their individuality. Regardless of what happened, we still made it to state, and we were proud of that.”

Fellow teammate Zakai agreed, “Even though we were nervous, it was so worth it,” she concluded.

The world finals, to be held at MSU in East Lansing, Mich., will bring together the best Odyssey of the Mind teams worldwide to compete and celebrate their problem-solving skills. The experience will provide The Children’s School students with an incredible opportunity to engage with like-minded peers, further develop their talents, and represent their school on an international level.

The Children’s School is a private school offering classes for toddlers through eighth-grade students. The school’s collaborative learning and progressive teaching methods are part of an educational community where risk-taking is expected, where making a difference is encouraged, and where working together is the norm. The mission of The Children’s School is to provide personalized education that will inspire each child’s unique potential and desire for lifelong learning through a strong academic, social, and environmental curriculum.

THE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL

Where: 2225 Torrey Pines Lane.

Info: tcslj.org, 858-454-0184.