Money may stop a Tulsa elementary school from participating in the national 'Odyssey of the Mind' competition

Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom. Sometimes an extra-curricular activity can do as much as homework to expand young minds. <br><br>A group of Tulsa kids want to go on an â€˜Odyssey of

Thursday, April 8th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom. Sometimes an extra-curricular activity can do as much as homework to expand young minds.

A group of Tulsa kids want to go on an â€˜Odyssey of the Mind.â€™ But it's a trip they might miss out on, if they can't raise enough money.

Take Remington Elementary's â€˜Odyssey of the Mindâ€™ team. These seven students are given a problem and they have to come up with a creative solution. This year, they had to make a vehicle, invent a product, and then showcase both of them for a panel of judges.

Remington's team came up with an African-theme, using Swahili, African dance, and drum beats. The students ranging from 3rd to 5th grade did all of the work, from choreographing the dances, to building the car, without any help from their teacher.

Their project placed second in the state competition, which earned them a spot at the â€˜Odyssey of the Mindâ€™ finals in Maryland. They are the only Tulsa Public Schools team invited to the international competition. But they might not get to go, if they don't raise about $8,000.

Amy Bailey, Remington 3rd Grader: "We finally made it and we want to go really bad and we hope we can get enough money. It's really exciting but we just need the money."