LANSING, Mich. – The campus of Michigan State University will be a home away from home for some of the world’s most creative problem-solvers this May 23-28, as it plays host to the 2017 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Over 850 teams will compete in the 38th annual event, bringing nearly 16,000 guests to Michigan’s Capital Region, all hoping to prove that creativity is universal.
What is Odyssey of the Mind? An article written about the World Finals event in Smithsonian Magazine called it: “a dizzying four-day think-a-thon that looks like some kind of kooky cross between a science fair, masquerade party, performing arts fest and the Olympics.”
Millions of kids from as far away as China, Poland, Germany, Indonesia and Singapore, to teams from right here in Michigan, have been working hard all year perfecting their solutions to selected Odyssey of the Mind problems and competing within their respective regions and countries. However, only the best of the best make it to this elite World Finals event.
“We are exceedingly proud to host the participants, parents and volunteers of Odyssey of the Mind,” said Jack Schripsema, President and CEO of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A large, international event like this with such a positive, education-focused theme is great for the region and MSU campus is the perfect backdrop. We wish the best of luck to all the participants and hope for a pleasant stay for our thousands of international guests.”
As excited as the Greater Lansing area is to be hosting this event, planners for Odyssey of the Mind are equally glad to be in Spartan country. “We are excited to bring such wonderfully creative and considerate students to one of the nations premier institutions of higher learning,” said Sammy Micklus, International Director for Odyssey of the Mind. “Students of all ages, grades and cultures will demonstrate their unique solutions to divergent problems while witnessing how the many different solutions developed by other teams to the very same problem.”
Details at: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/wf2015/default.php
The mission of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau is to positively impact the area’s economy by marketing the region as a travel destination.
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