Long Beach Middle School hosted the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Finals early in March, with 16 teams from New York City and Long Island competing in three divisions. Odyssey of the Mind is a global program that promotes creative problem-solving among students of all ages. Through a mix of design, engineering and performance, participants tackle open-ended challenges, enhancing their teamwork, creativity and critical thinking skills.
Long Beach Elementary School had three teams competing in Division I, and each one claimed first place in their respective categories. The Problem 2 team built a walking, glowing robot capable of picking up objects, and they wrote a skit in which the robot aspired to grow like its mermaid counterparts. With the help of a retired octopus trainer, the robot achieved its goal. The performance featured live music, including a standout rendition of “Let It Glow,” sung by one of the team members. The team, consisting of Sadie Bergstein, Anna Chapman, Maddie Eckert, James Emery, Lexi Fink, Rowan McLaughlin, Garner Senken and Laina Sisko, was thrilled by their win.
The Problem 3 team, led by Max Sendik and consisting of Arwyn Donofrio, Eva Gonzalez, Maebry Kotula, Nila Pennant, Dylan Pinto, Summer Schaffer and Dylan Watts, created a gourmet dinner party inspired by classic literature, particularly “Through the Looking Glass.” Their performance brought characters like Alice in Wonderland, Fungi Phil, G.N.A.T. and the Mad Hatter to life. After winning first place, they are now preparing for the state finals.
The third team, competing in Problem 5, created a civilization based on legends from history, featuring famous figures like George Washington, Princess Diana and Albert Einstein. They brought creativity back to the world through constellations, wowing the judges with their skit. The teams, coached by Andie Techera and Douglas MacConnell, are now working hard to prepare for the state finals, which will be held on April 5 in Syracuse, New York.
Click here to view the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Finals slideshow.
Date Added: 4/3/2025