The new year begins with fresh energy and a vibrant spirit. Recently, Jing'an District hosted its inaugural "Boundless Thinking, Joyful Innovation" Odyssey of the Mind Challenge. Under the guidance of the Shanghai Odyssey of the Mind Association, the event was hosted by the Education Bureau of Jing'an District. It was organized by the Children's Palace of Jing'an District and the Odyssey of the Mind Training Center, with support from Shanghai Jing'an Daning International School in Jing'an District. The event engaged over 60 primary and secondary schools in the district, drawing more than 300 students who showcased their dynamic and creative thinking.
Attendees included Nie Dan, Vice-Chair of the CPPCC Jing'an District Committee and Director of the Association for Science and Technology of Jing'an District; Xu Yong, Resident Vice President of the Shanghai Odyssey of the Mind Association; Hong Bo, Director of the Daning Road Sub-district Office of Jing'an District; Sun Yong, Deputy Director of the Education Bureau of Jing'an District; Wan Jia, Resident Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Vice Chairperson of the Shanghai Odyssey of the Mind Association; Lin Junqiu, Director of the Science and Technology Department of the Shanghai Municipal Science Technology and Art Education Center; Guan Li, Level 4 Research Consultant and Chief of the Sports, Health and Arts Section of the Education Bureau of Jing'an District; as well as teacher Yang Yang from the Science and Technology Department of the Shanghai Municipal Science Technology and Art Education Center; and teacher Zhang Songling from the Sports, Health and Arts Section of the Education Bureau of Jing'an District.
Impromptu challenges: three tasks, boundless creativity
The event featured three types of improvisational challenges—language-based, hands-on, and mixed tasks—designed to test participants' adaptability and problem-solving skills under time constraints, closely mirroring the high-level competitive environment of Odyssey of the Mind (OM) competitions. Specific tasks like Dice Association, Extreme Elevation, and Emotional Mask not only assessed students' vocabulary and logical reasoning but also encouraged them to think outside the box, using original metaphors and narratives to express themselves innovatively.
During the event, contestants demonstrated remarkable ingenuity. Some fashioned precise counterweights out of aluminum foil, while others used paper clips to build key structural nodes, transforming everyday materials into intricate designs that highlighted their engineering skills.
"This mask radiates joy because it encountered a long-awaited rainbow in the rain"... The students' brilliant performances brought static creations to life, seamlessly blending hands-on practice, emotional awareness, and spontaneous expression.
Moments of glory: creativity blooms and teams shine
That afternoon, the award ceremony began with an engaging recap video highlighting the day's activities. Representing the judges, Li Yuanyuan from the Children's Palace of Jing'an District explained the evaluation criteria and key considerations. Meanwhile, student representatives from Shanghai Jing'an Daning International School shared their personal growth and insights gained from participating in the event.
Awards were then presented for Individual Excellence, Comprehensive Strength, and Outstanding Organization. These honors recognized teams with exceptional skills in specific areas, the top three overall teams, as well as schools and teachers for their strong organization and active participation, celebrating their contributions to promoting innovative education.
Moving forward together: charting a blueprint for innovative education
In his address, Sun Yong, Deputy Director of the Education Bureau of Jing'an District, encouraged science and technology educators in local primary and secondary schools to embrace the responsibility of reform and deepen innovative teaching practices. He emphasized the importance of breaking conventional boundaries in thinking to build a solid foundation for cultivating innovative talent. He also called for creating practical pathways to establish a growth system for young innovators, and harnessing collaborative efforts to chart a blueprint for talent development, ultimately fostering a high-quality, inclusive, and open educational environment that encourages trial and error.
Rooted in the educational philosophy of the OM, this event provided a hands-on platform to inspire creative thinking and foster teamwork among primary and secondary students in Jing'an District. Through high-quality practical drills, it also built momentum for the 2026 Odyssey of the Mind World Selection. Moving forward, the Children's Palace of Jing'an District will strengthen overall planning to ensure events run smoothly and develop a more comprehensive training system integrating science, technology, arts, and humanities. This will inspire more youth to imagine boldly, create fearlessly, and collaborate actively, empowering them to thrive through boundless thinking and shape the future together.
Source: "Shanghai Jing'an" WeChat Official Account; Reporter: Peng Xuhui; Video: Ren Chao