Odyssey Develops Creativity
"Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and valuable is created." -Wikipedia
Dr. Sam Micklus on Creativity
"Micklus believes that the future belongs to those who learn creative-problem-solving skills as children. The key is what he calls "divergent" thinking. It is this ability to take mental risks and explore multiple solutions to a problem that is the essential foundation for creativity."
"In Odyssey of the Mind, It's the Thought That Counts"
David M. Schwartz for Smithsonian - July 1995
Odyssey Alum on Creativity
"I never broke any OotM records or became World Champion, but I took away a greater prize than a trophy. I became a thinker. Using knowledge in unconventional ways is the key to solving difficult problems in life."
Zach Ford, Odyssey alumnus on the benefits of creative thinking.
The Experts Talk Creativity
Steve Jobs
"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something..." - Steve Jobs on creativity.
The Key To Creativity, According To Steve Jobs
Ken Robinson
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. In his June 2006 TED talk, he champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.
"What TED celebrates is the gift of the human imagination. We have to be careful now that we use this gift wisely... and the only way we'll do it is by seeing our creative capacities for the richness they are and seeing our children for the hope that they are." -Sir Ken Robinson
Creativty in the News
Duke TIP - Bonnie Cramond, PhD
As our world becomes more complex and problems become more challenging, the need for creative individuals to address these situations in innovative ways increases... The discovery and development of creativity should be primary goals of families and schools.
Creative Talent: Recognizing and Nurturing It
Duke TIP - August 29, 2006
Educational Leadership - Yong Zhao
"Creativity is no longer a choice for a select few; it has become an essential quality for all."
EL Takeaways - Creativity Now
Educational Leadership - Feb 2013
Get a PDF of the poster: 8 Things to Know About Creativity
The Creativity Post - Dr. Peter Gray
"Creativity is nurtured by freedom and stifled by the continuous monitoring, evaluation, adult-direction, and pressure to conform that restrict children's lives today. In the real world few questions have one right answer, few problems have one right solution; that's why creativity is crucial to success in the real world."
As Children's Freedom Has Declined, So Has Their Creativity
Creativity Post - Sep. 29, 2012
Newsweek - Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
"The necessity of human ingenuity is undisputed. A recent IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs identified creativity as the No. 1 "leadership competency" of the future."
The Creativity Crisis
Newsweek - July 10, 2010
Creativity Portal - Marjorie Sarnat
"Tell your child that creativity is a valuable part of his brainpower, and encourage him to exercise it. Kids crave problem solving challenges, imagination games, thought prompts, and other idea sparkers that get their creative juices flowing."
Practical Ways to Encourage Creativity in Kids
Creativity Portal
American Thinker - Larry Kaufmann
"True genius involves finding hidden coherence, recognizing unexpected connections, and using these discoveries to develop new forms and innovations. Of course, this is an example of creativity..."
The True Face of Genius
American Thinker - June 7, 2014
TC3 - Dialogue on Learning
"Thinking about the connection between creativity and learning can help us open new windows into designing appropriate learning experiences..."
Construction of individual meaning improves when students develop their creativity.
Tomkins Coutland Community College
Considering Odyssey?
Go to the 'Considering Odyssey' page for a brief summary of what you need to know to become an OMer.