The Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF) granted $5,850 to the Cochran Primary School Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team headed to the World Finals next week at Iowa State University.

The education foundation was able to contribute a combination of gifts received from those in the community, area businesses and WASDEF’s annual fund.

The group competed at the state competition in April with their first-place finish for the problem “Life is a Circus!” The team, coached by Amy Harpster and Kelly Campbell, includes: McKay Campbell, Alexander Frank, Quinn Hamilton, Haddie Harpster, Addyson Harrison and Nate McClelland.

OM teams from WASD have been successful at the programs regional and state levels, having earned coveted spots at the World Final competitions for the last eight consecutive years.

Last spring, two Curtin Intermediate School teams placed among the top 10 in the world.

Odyssey of the Mind is a competition that blends creativity, engineering and teamwork. It is 100 percent student-directed, with adult coaches acting as guides. For more information, or to review synopses of this year’s program problems, visit http://www.odysseyofthemind.com.

WASDEF is the recognized nonprofit affiliate of the school district. The education foundation facilitates charitable giving and permanent legacies based on individual areas of interest in educational innovation, the arts, athletics and scholarships. For more information on the foundation, or to make a gift, visit http://www.wasdeducationfoundation.org.