Currently: 54°F
The student population at Millersville University (MU) will increase by over 600 students on March 11. On that day, approximately 120 high school and 480 middle school students or younger from Lancaster and surrounding counties will flood Millersville for the single-day Odyssey of the Mind event.
Odyssey of the Mind challenges students from kindergarten through 12th grade to solve unique problems ranging from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to the arts through creativity and collaboration. MU has hosted the East Central Pennsylvania branch of this international education program since 2009.
“Being involved with Odyssey connects me with the next generation of super-creative students,” says Tournament Director Jill Craven. “To nurture their creativity in a welcoming setting like Millersville makes me happy.”
In previous years, MU students from All Campus Musical Organization, Improv Molotov, Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology (AEST) and the nursing department participated in the event through flash mobs, improv sessions, 3D printing demonstrations and volunteering. This year, the library and AEST will be involved, in addition to current and former student volunteers from the Xi Chi Nursing Honor Society.
Students get an introduction to MU’s campus through interacting with current students and staff. Odyssey of the Mind encourages the creativity of these young participants, and can help to provide direction for their steps after high school.
“Showing the Odyssey students how great our campus is gives me hope that they will bring their ingenuity and their passion into the creative, caring community at Millersville one day,” says Craven. “I know that they can find their people here and this exposure to our campus makes it more likely that Millersville will attract these engaged students.”
Lorraine Lowrie serves as the Regional Director for the East Central Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind, which will be held at various locations across MU’s campus including the Student Memorial Center, Pucillo Gymnasium, Stayer Hall, Osburn Hall and the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center.
Members of the Millersville community interested in getting involved in Odyssey of the Mind should contact Jill Craven at Jill.Craven@millersville.edu.
For more information about the event, go to http://paodyssey.com/eastcentral/.
