This describes the task given to the Voorheesville Elementary School team at this week’s world championship round of Odyssey of the Mind. The team created a story about Dutch impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh being inspired by the muse Urania and a sea star named Stellar.

Problem 3: Classics ...

In Greek Mythology, muses were the source of inspiration for the creative works of artists and scientists. The team’s problem is to create and present an original performance that includes one of the nine Greek muses. The Muse will inspire two people during the performance:

— 1. A historical person who made an actual positive contribution to the world, and

— 2. An original, team-created person who tries to make a positive contribution to the world.

The Muse will use the art form attributed to her during two “moments of inspiration,” when all the characters in the scene, except the Muse, will “freeze.” The team will also create two original works in that art form to include in the performance.