2014-2015 Season

This year the Vehicle team created two vehicles that traveled on an original designed track, never touching the ground.  The vehicle itself overcomes several challenges.  While it overcomes these challenges the team tells a story based in a circuit board and talks about overcoming the challenge of being bullied.

Team Members: Nelson, Stefan, Trevor, Paulina, Sydney, Kate and Hale.

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At regional competition the team placed 1st.  At the state competition the team had some technical difficulties and was unable to complete the final task bringing them in at 4th at the state competition. Yet, the judging team felt that the team...

"wholly embodied the spirit of creativity in every facet.  This is to say, they approached their problem in ingenious ways and took huge risks, some of which actually paid off.  Problem #1, required a vehicle on a track to overcome obstacles selected from a lot, i.e. spanning a 2" gap.  Rather than settle for a measly 2", this team attempted to send their vehicle sailing a good foot and a half.  Also, although it was not required, the team also built 2 vehicles with completely different tracks and methods of locomotion.  Through trial, errors, and sheer ingenuity, they constructed a changing gear differential with 2 spools and some cordage, and a directional air bearing using a shop vacuum, pvc, and a drill.  As if that wasn't enough, they accomplished all this while giving a comprehensive yet somehow, still entertaining lesson on super conductors.  Despite technical difficulties, their spirit and mastery of improvisation kept the energy in the room electric."

The judging team nominated and the team was award the highest honor in Odyssey the Rantra Fusca Award for creativity.  This award gives them an automatic birth to the World Competition.  Congratulations!

Pics from our visit with CBS8 News:

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Local students prove they're on the right track

Local students prove they're on the right track

WOW! What an amazing experience we had... CBS Channel 8 News came and did an interview with with us on Monday, April 20th, 2015.  We can not thank them enough for spending so much time with us an learning what Odyssey of the Mind was all about.
THANK YOU!


CBS8 Interview 2015

Carlsbad High School students prove they're on the right track

Posted: Apr 20, 2015 7:08 PM PDTUpdated: Apr 20, 2015 8:05 PM PDT

By Steve Price, Reporter

Connect

 

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) – Science, technology, engineering, art and math - they are skills our children learn in school. But what happens when students are asked to combine them together in a timed competition?

A CBS News 8 viewer emailed us about this unusual contest at her daughter's school. It's called Odyssey of the Mind.

The students have to get creative with recycled items because no team can spend more than $140 and some Carlsbad High School students had to do it on their own time.

“Some people have jobs, others have internships and we're all taking honors and AP classes so this is in addition. So we fill it in when we have time,” said Junior Kate Carter.

It's called Odyssey of the mind and it's a worldwide competition that requires creative problem solving skills and parents can't help.

“There's no outside assistance. It's just your seven members on your team that have to work out these problems,” explained Junior Nelson Girod.

The students had to design, build and operate one or more vehicles that overcome obstacles.

The Carlsbad teens constructed three vehicles and took a huge leap of faith.

“We're supposed to do a two inch jump, but we didn't think it's enough. So we're doing a two foot jump instead,” added Girod.

But this is only part of the problem, they also have to tell a story that pulls their experiment together and the Carlsbad High Students kicked things up a notch with a plot about a Sort Circuit that gets bullied for being short.

Because of technical difficulties at the state championships, Carlsbad finished 4th, which was not high enough to move on to the World Championships. But the judges were so impressed with their story, they awarded them the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award, which automatically lets them advance.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

State Competition a Wild Ride

State competition at the University of California Riverside. Competed against the best in the state.

Things did not work perfectly but we received the highest award on Odyssey - the Ranatra Fusca Award. This award is given for extreme creativity and for thinking outside the box. We were awarded this honor for engineering and risk taking. 

Regional Competition CHS Comes Out On Top

The vehicle team had a very busy day at regionals. Performing first thing in the morning, spontaneous mid day and judging primary in the afternoon.

Vehicle team takes 1st at Regionals!