SWIFTWATER, PA — Over 1,000 students from across Pennsylvania put their creativity to the test at the PA Odyssey of the Mind state finals, held at the east campus of the Pocono Mountain School District on April 5. Results will be posted on www.riverreporter.com.

The 153 teams earned their spots in the finals after excelling at regional tournaments held throughout the state over the past two months. 

 Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program that helps students develop STEAM skills—science, technology, engineering, arts and math—and other life skills such as budgeting, project/time management, public speaking and teamwork. The teams receive a problem at the beginning of the school year; the students create a solution, which is presented to judges at the tournaments.

This year’s Odyssey of the Mind problems range from building a ride-on race car to creating an ancient civilization in outer space. This year’s problem sponsors are Sanofi, the Pennsylvania College of Technology, and Camera Moves. 

Teams placing first or second will advance to the world finals at Michigan State University in May. 

PA Odyssey of the Mind is provided by the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Creative Opportunities Unlimited in PA. The tournament and organization are run entirely by volunteers. The presenting sponsor of the tournament is Juniata College in Huntingdon. 

Grants are available for schools looking to start new teams in the 2025-26 school year. For more info, visit www.paodyssey.com/grants.