2023 – 2024 Long-Term Problem Synopses

Problem 1: DRIVE-IN MOVIE
OM teams get the best seat in the house as they visit a drive-in and even become part of the movie being played! In this problem, teams will design, build, and run a vehicle with a team-created rider that travels to a drive-in theater. In the performance, the movie takes place all around the vehicle when suddenly a team-created special-effect occurs on the vehicle that makes it seem to become part of the action! It will include a lead actor character along with all the fun that comes with this nostalgic outdoor movie experience.

Problem 2: AI TECH-NO-ART
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what if the beholder is -a robot!? In this problem OM teams will design, build, and operate an Artificial Intelligence Tech-NO-Art device that determines if a work of art is beautiful or not. It will dismantle a work of art that it decides is not beautiful to create a new work of art it believes is beautiful. The humorous performance will also include an artist character that stands up for their work of art, sound effects, and team-created artwork.

Problem 3: Classics… OPENING NIGHT ANTICS
There is a saying in the theatre that no matter what happens during a performance, the show must go on. The same is true in OM! For this problem, teams will portray the Opening Night of a play based on a classic story. The Opening Night performance will not go as planned and will include a set malfunction, unexpected sound effects, and a theater critic. Despite the Opening Night Antics, the show is a success!

Problem 4: DEEP SPACE STRUCTURE
The universe is full of mysteries we hope to discover and some we may not want to discover! In this problem, teams unravel an original mystery by portraying a balsa wood structure discovered in deep space. The structure will be examined, tested, interviewed, and observed. The performance will include an actual balsa wood and glue structure that is tested to balance and support weight, a character portraying the discovered deep space structure, and the scientists studying it.

Problem 5: ROCKING WORLD DETOUR             Sponsored by ARM & HAMMER™
Are you ready to rock? Here is your opportunity! In this problem, OM teams will create a performance about a rock band on tour. Things get derailed in a very Odyssey way – while playing a song, the band is transported to an unexpected location. The band members must figure out how to use music to get them back on their tour.  The performance will also include band merchandise and original hairstyles.

Primary: THE NIGHT LIFE
When most people are sleeping, there is a whole new world that comes to life in the night. In this problem teams will create and present a performance about an explorer character that searches for things in nature that “wake up” at nighttime. It will also include a team­ created original discovery, something that lights up, and a team member in costume that represents a nocturnal animal.

Problems 1-5 are open to all age divisions. Primary is open to grades K-2