Team Effort
Team effort is probably the strongest principle in the Odyssey of the Mind Programme. Since all activities are performed as a team, students learn cooperation and interpersonal communication. The team must learn how to best use individual talents, how to lead and how to follow and to make a contribution.

Development of Creative Skills
Everyone has some creative potentials, but many do not see them in themselves. Under the guidance of coaches, Odyssey of the Mind team members practise many exercises which will enhance each individual's creativity. Participation in Odyssey of the Mind Programme provides an avenue to open the door to the potentials in each student.

Divergent Thinking
Experimentation is encouraged and even negative results can become part of the learning process. Students learn to recognize that many of the limitations they imagined existed in solving their problems, in fact had not been imposed in the instructions. Unusual ideas evidented in presenting the long-term problem solution, in style presentation, and in spontaneous problem solving are rewarded.

Learning by Doing
Long-term projects foster strategic planning skills. Teams learn project management and how to get things done on a timely basis. They must take a problem through its entire cycle, from conception of a solution to its final presentation.

Positive Channeling of Youthful Energies
It is natural for young people to exert their energies in some directions. Odyssey of the Mind Programme provides challenging problems that have no stereotypic answers. The field is wide open to whatever direction students want to take, but the goal is constructive and their efforts are rewarded through community and peer recognition.

Doing Your Best
Odyssey of the Mind Programme urges youth to experiment and try. Students are encouraged to do their best in solving a problem and performing their solution. Odyssey of the Mind WINNERS are ALL who have done their BEST. Achievement is rated on EFFORT but not RESULTS.

Fun
Odyssey of the Mind Programme features an innovative teaching technique. Finding new and different ways of doing things or looking at questions is an enjoyable experience. Positive reinforcement is stressed. Odyssey of the Mind Programme must be fun to be able to keep the interest of youth for such a long time.