Destination Imagination

 

Destination Imagination (DI) is a project-based educational program that inspires and equips students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Teams in our program improve in creative thinking, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. Our participants experience the creative process, develop new friendships and learn to work together.

 

HOW IT WORKS

  • Annually, DI offers new standards-based Challenges in seven areas
  • Each Challenge is open-ended and enables student teams to learn and experience the creative process.
  • 2 to 7 members can be on a team, and students from kindergarten through university level participate.
  • Each team needs an adult Team Manager. Team Managers help students stay on track but do not directly help the team develop its solution to the DI Challenge. 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Science, Technology, Engineering, Design, Arts, Mathematics, Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Communication & Collaboration
Challenges in seven areas: Technical, Scientific, Engineering, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Service Learning and Early Learning.
 
“DI taught me how to think creatively. As a scientist, I think differently than other people, and it is certainly an advantage.” – Lauren Zarzar, Ph.D. Harvard Graduate
 

TEAM MANAGERS

Each team needs at least one adult Team Manager (TM) to guide and inspire! If you are interested in managing or starting a team please email our Destination Imagination Coordinator to indicate your willingness to help with Destination Imagination. We will reach out to you once school begins to start forming teams.

 

Orientation for TMs is recommended and not required. If you are a first time TM, it is highly recommend that you attend an orientation session to get acquainted with the DI program and your role as a Team Manager. Below is a link to our regional website that will have training and event dates posted in September.

 

http://www.nextregiondi.com/

 

2024/25  challenges

 

 

Please click HERE for a link to the videos that describe the individual challenges. 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS?

Students from kindergarten through university level participate in the Destination Imagination Challenge Program. The following are the grade requirements to participate in the 2024/25 Destination Imagination Challenge Program at Marion Elementary:
  • Early Learning (non-competitive): Kindergarten - 2nd grade
  • Elementary Level: Kindergarten—5th grade 
  • Middle Level: 6th—8th grade 

HOW MUCH DOES THE DI PROGRAM COST?

Team registration costs are $165 per team for registration plus any cost for materials to build and present your project and $100 per team to register for the tournament. $25.00 Background check for team manager

HOW DO I FORM A TEAM?

The DI Chair will contact you to form teams. 

HOW LONG DOES A TEAM WORK ON A CHALLENGE?

Teams often start meeting in October and spend approximately 2-4 months planning, designing and building a solution to their Challenge. Teams usually meet at least once a week to work on their solution. 

WHAT IS A DESTINATION IMAGINATION TOURNAMENT?

Many Destination Imagination Affiliates (states/countries) host Regional & Affiliate Tournaments where teams can showcase their creative Challenge solutions. Team solutions are assessed by a panel of trained Appraisers, ranging from educators to artists to engineers. Solutions are scored on a variety of elements, including originality, workmanship, presentation, teamwork and meeting requirements for the Challenge. DI competitions begin with a Regional Tournament. Teams with the highest scores advance to the Affiliate (state or country) Tournaments. The top-tiered teams from the Affiliate Tournaments advance to Global Finals. 

HOW DO I RECEIVE VOLUNTEER TRAINING?

Destination Imagination will offer volunteer-specific training throughout the Destination Imagination season and will contact you directly about dates, times and locations.