• Coaches Competition
  The coaches and officials will show off their own creative problem-solving skills by solving a problem just for them. If you think kids think "out of the box" wait until you see these adults!
  Coaches' and Officials' Problem
  
• Creativity Festival
  Test your creativity and skill at the Odyssey of the Mind Association booths. Visit the CCI tunnel for some Odyssey history and much more. Creativity Festival Flier
  
• Float & Banner Parade
  The Annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Float & Banner Parade will be held on Thursday evening, May 27. All State, Provincial, and Country Associations, as well as other Unaffiliated State and Country Representatives, are encouraged to submit an entry. Float & Banner Parade Flier
• NASA Presentations
  See images of Earth from a different point of view in the NASA/NOAA Electronic Theatre! Watch dramatic images of Earth using the latest HDTV and video projection technology. NASA Presentations Flier
  
• Pin Trading
  Trading Odyssey of the Mind pins is a tradition that goes back more than 20 years. Millions of pins have been traded and thousands of friendships have been made during this time. No one ever thought that pin-trading would become as popular and widespread as it is today. Over the years, Odyssey of the Mind has strived to create an environment where people can trade pins without being disruptive to the competition. To keep pin-trading a positive experience for everyone, please read our pin trading rules.
• Willard Wigan Exhibit
  Please make time to visit a special WF exhibit of the micro-sculptor Willard Wigan, this year’s winner of the Odyssey of the Mind Creativity Award. Willard Wigan’s work will be on display at Holden Hall beginning on Wednesday through Saturday. more information

Things to Do at MSU

MSU Union -A favorite gathering spot, with fast-food restaurants, billiards, bowling, and the MSU Spirit Shop.

MSU Bookstore - In the International Center, with a wide selection of Spartan paraphernalia and other supplies.

MSU Museum - Exhibits on cultural and natural history, with an emphasis on the Great Lakes region.  Its gift shop features unique items from around the world.  Admission is free.

Kresge Art Museum - A permanent collection of more than 6,000 works of art spanning several centuries, as well as special exhibitions and traveling shows.  Admission is free.

W. J. Beal Botanical Garden - Founded in 1873, the Beal Botanical Garden is the oldest continuously operated garden of its kind in the U.S.  It includes over 5,000 species organized in economic, systematic, landscape and ecological groupings.  The Garden also features an endangered and threatened plant collection and Michigan native wetland plants.  Located west of the Main Library.  Admission is free.

Horticultural Demonstration Garden - Visitors can take a stroll through the colorful floral displays of the MSU Horticulture Gardens – an official All-American Trial Garden test site for annual bedding plants.  They have an extensive perennial collection with an annual display and rose collection.  Located south of the Plant & Soil Sciences Building.  Open April 1-November 1, dawn to dusk.  Admission is free.

4H Children’s Garden - Designed especially for children, and completely handicap accessible, this delightful garden features a tree house built from twigs and limbs, a garden house, and an amphitheater and themed gardens, such as pizza and Peter Rabbit.  Just imagine a garden where plants, children, and imaginations grow!  Located south of the Plant & Soil Sciences Building.  Open April 1-November 1, dawn to dusk.  Admission is free.

MSU Dairy Store - When you visit the Dairy Store, we want to see you leaving with a smile on your face.  We are dedicated to making your visit enjoyable and serving our delectable ice cream and other soda fountain favorites.  During your visit, we encourage you to visit the observation deck to see the processing facilities.  Observe a multimedia presentation on cheese and ice cream production.  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays offer the best opportunities for catching our process making some of our products, including our award winning cheeses!  Located in Anthony Hall and the MSU Union.

Spartan Lanes Bowling Center - Located in the lower level of the Union, this center features 16 lanes for open play.  The center is open to the public.  Lane fees are reasonable and shoe rentals are available. This is an air-conditioned and non-smoking environment.

Things to Do in Lansing and East Lansing

Visit the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau Website for a complete list: www.lansing.org or call 1-888-2-Lansing.

Impression 5 Science Center
(517-485-8116 ext 32) http://www.impression5.org
Explore, discover, and experience Mid-Michigan’s leading hands-on/minds-on science and technology center which provides activities, demonstrations, and exhibits for children from 2 to 92!  I-5 is located at 200 Museum Drive in Lansing and is open from 10 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday, 10 am-7 pm on Saturday, and 12 pm-5 pm on Sunday.  Check the website for information on themes.  Admission is $5 for adults, students, and seniors.  Children under 5 pay the amount of their age.

Michigan Historical Museum
(517-373-3559)
The Michigan Historical Museum, located in downtown Lansing, tells Michigan’s story from precontact times to 1900 through permanent exhibits on its second floor.  Exhibits about “Michigan in  the 20th Century” fill the third floor.  Special exhibits in a first floor gallery change yearly, and have focused on collections and themes ranging from underwater archaeology to Civil War flags.  Located at 702 W. Kalamazoo in Lansing.

Potter Park Zoo
(517-483-4222)
http://www.potterparkzoo.org/
Exhibits more than 400 wonders of wildlife including rhinoceroses, red pandas, tigers, leopard, and meerkats.  Located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania, Lansing.  Hours are as follows:  April 1-October 31, 9 am-6 pm, and November 1-March 31, 10 am- 4 pm.  Admission for non-residents of Ingham County is $10 per adult, $2 for children 3 to 16 years of age. Parking is $4.

R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
(517-372-0529)
http://www.reoldsmuseum.org
Come see a collection of artifacts and documents pertaining to the auto industry and Lansing area transportation from the year 1833 to the present.  There are over 50 vehicles on display.  Located at 240 Museum Drive in Lansing.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors over 65.  Hours are Tuesday-Saturday:  10 am - 5 pm and Sunday:  12 pm - 5 pm.

State Capitol Building
(517 373-2353)
http://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,1607,7-141-54317_54370_20424-54598--,00.html
Step back into the Victorian era with a visit to Michigan’s award-winning Capitol Building.  Tours of the public areas and the House and Senate galleries are available Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm.  Located at the intersection of Capitol and Michigan Avenues, Lansing.

Lansing Lugnuts Professional Baseball
http://www.lansing.org/explore-greater-lansing/things-to-do/sports/ctl/memberdetail/mid/748/memberid/275/
Enjoy good times with your teammates or your family with Lansing's minor league baseball team- the Lansing Lugnuts. It's fun at an affordable price, so don't miss out on the action in Oldsmobile Park. /p>

Michigan Travel Information available at www.michigan.org

Recreation Facilities

Everyone who takes Odyssey of the Mind campus housing and team members and coaches of teams that pay Odyssey of the Mind the facilities fee are able to participate in recreational activities at MSU’s IM Circle building.  IM Circle has an indoor pool facility.  A room key from the residence hall must be shown to access the pools.  If you are off campus you must go to the Odyssey of the Mind information booth for directions on accessing the facilities.(Towels are not provided.)

IM Circle times are as follows:

• Wednesday, May 26th  -- 10:00 am-4:00 pm
• Thursday, May 27th  -- 1:00 pm-8:00 pm
• Friday, May 28th -- 1:00 pm-8:00 pm
• Saturday, May 29th  -- 10:00 am-5:00 pm

IM West outdoor pool will be available to Odyssey participants as follows:

• Wednesday, May 26th  -- 10:30 am-6:00 pm
• Thursday, May 27th  --10:30 am-6:00 pm
• Friday, May 28th  -- 10:30 am-6:00 pm
• Saturday, May 29th  -- 11:00 am-6:00 pm

Participants must be accompanied by an adult chaperone when using recreational facilities.

Recreational equipment checkout is available to Odyssey of the Mind participants from the IM Circle equipment desk.

Athletic shoes are required for recreational activity area (gym floor).