From teaching in front of a small industrial design class in New Jersey to standing in front of over 18,000 excited, diverse, creative-thinking individuals at World Finals, Dr. Sam has proven that kids can be passionate about learning if given the opportunity. The fact that Odyssey of the Mind is celebrating its 30th World Finals is proof. Over the years, Odyssey of the Mind has stayed true to Dr. Sam's belief that creativity can be taught, nutured, and used as a tool. Below, find some fun World Finals facts from years past:

• The Golden Knights U.S. Army elite parachute team once jumped from 10,500 feet into World Finals activities taking place at the University of Knoxville. Over 7,500 people watched in awe as the parachutists passed a baton between them as they jumped and carried each participating state/countries flag with them to the ground.
• Pin trading is wildly popular today. How did it get its start? It evolved from a few teams trading tee shirts and buttons in the early 80's to the pastime it has become.
• World Finals graduation started at the request of participant Michael Hughes from South Carolina. He asked Dr. Sam if he could have a ceremony since he was missing his graduation. It has since grown into an important part of World Finals.
• Various U.S. presidents have supported Odyssey of the Mind and World Finals. Ronald Regan, George and Barbara Bush, and Bill Clinton have all sent greetings or representatives to attend World Finals on their behalf. President George Bush even joked in a televised speech at the Awards Ceremony, "Knowing the problems Sam Micklus had you solve, maybe you'd be willing to try your hand or your minds on cutting the federal deficit."
• The first international team to participate in World Finals was Canada-- Ontario has been involved since the second World Finals. The first overseas team came from the Philippines a few years later.
• A Glassboro, N.J. student inspired the coveted Ranatra Fusca Award in one of Dr. Sam's industrial design classes. The student built a device that strode across the water. It reminded Dr. Sam of a water bug and was named after a classification of water scorpions. This particular type of scorpion lives underwater, which is where the student ended up the first time he tried to cross the lake on his "floatation device!" After a few adjustments the student was successful, but it was the creative-thinking and risk-taking that impressed Dr. Sam.
• Fast facts: The first Creativity Festival was held during the first Iowa WF in 1990. OMER's first WF appearance was at the University of Maryland in 1988. The first senior citizen WF team made its debut in 2005. The Creativity Award used to be called the Lipper Foundation Award.