FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2022
(Novato, CA)…This year Loma Verde Elementary School Balsa Structure team took Third Place in the NorCal Section Championships and qualified to compete in the World Finals in Ames, Iowa in May. Loma Verde sent three teams of students to compete in the annual Odyssey of the Mind NorCal Section Championship on March 26 in Brentwood, California.
Team Balsa was tasked to design and build a structure out of only balsa wood and glue. This year’s special task required nesting structures, like Matryoshka dolls, and included a theme of storage. Finally, the team must test (crush!) the structure by adding Olympic-size weights until it breaks.
This is the first year Loma Verde had a team qualify for an in-person World Final. “It’s very exciting to place and qualify for the Worlds Finals. I’m so proud of the students,” commented Karen McCormish, Teacher Coach. “While it would be exciting to go and compete at the World Finals, the team has decided not to attend this year,” added Mrs. McCormish.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program that engages students in their learning by allowing their knowledge and ideas to come to life in an exciting, productive environment. Participants build self-confidence, develop life skills, create new friendships, and realize their true potential.
# # #
Photo: Team Balsa Weight Placement