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Think creatively. Work together. Create something extraordinary.
Destination Imagination is a creative problem-solving program where student teams tackle open-ended challenges that require imagination, teamwork, and innovation. Depending on the challenge, students may design structures, create performances, develop technical solutions, or combine several different forms of creativity.
Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and take ownership of the solution. Along the way, they learn how to collaborate, manage disagreements, communicate ideas, and turn an imaginative concept into a finished product.
What students gain: Creativity, teamwork, communication, project management, innovation, problem-solving, and confidence.
Great for students who: Love creating, performing, designing, storytelling, building, inventing, or thinking outside the box.
HOPKINS WORKING BUDGET
Covers Team Registrations Only
• If a team qualifies for state or national events, travel expenses are handled directly by the winning students' families.
• Use a team-approved materials budget for props, costumes, construction, Instant Challenge practice, and transportation
OFFICIAL COSTS
• Team Number: $175 (Early Bird) and $400 per team in Norcal_DI (Donations to the Hopkins STEAM_DI are appreciated)
• Team Manager background check: $25 per manager
• Affiliate tournament fees and solution-material costs vary
• U.S. Global Finals team registration, if earned: $5,500 plus travel, lodging, meals, and shipping
FUNDING PATHWAYS
PFA/PTA • local arts and STEM sponsors • employer matching • student-led campaigns • DI financial assistance • in-kind fabric, cardboard, tools, and prop materials
SMART SPENDING RULES
Student ideas must drive the solution. Adults may support safety and purchasing but may not design or build the solution. Approve purchases first, reuse materials, and save every receipt.
The Hopkins Financial Officer is Mrs. Deepika, PFA Member.
STEAM Donations
STEAM Donations
To support the STEAM program, you may donate by scanning the QR code provided or by submitting a check payable to Hopkins_PFA (STEAM) to the Hopkins Middle School office.
For all donations, please clearly indicate the STEAM program, science competition, or challenge your contribution is intended to support.
For checks: Please write the name of your student’s STEAM program, competition, or challenge in the memo line.
Open-ended STEAM challenge through creativity, teamwork, research, design, and performance. Challenge information, practice resources, deadlines, and meeting links will be posted here. (Under Construction)
2026–2027 CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE • GRADES 6–8
Information checked August 17, 2026
CURRENT SEASON
The 2026–2027 Team Challenges are live, and full Challenge details were released to registered teams on July 31, 2026. The standard U.S. Team Number price is $175 (Not in NorCal_DI). A $25 background check is required for each U.S. adult who is responsible for managing a team. Local affiliate or tournament fees may also apply.
2026–2027 COMPETITIVE TEAM CHALLENGES
• Get Sorted — Technical: build a sorting system and integrate it into a story about a character who arrives in the wrong place.
• Lab Legends — Scientific: use applied science in a story about two rivals racing toward the same goal, including a live-action montage.
• Act Natural — Fine Arts: create a fable with non-human characters, natural materials, interactive scenery, and an animated prop.
• Just Duet — Improvisational: portray a famous duo in a ridiculous situation using a single tool, background music, and a two-act story.
• Under Investigation — Engineering: build a system that measures an object’s weight and use it in a story about an investigation.
• Game Changers — Service Learning: address a genuine community need and present the impact through a story set in a video-game world.
Hopkins will identify the selected Challenge after team formation and access to the complete official materials.
NON-NEGOTIABLE DI RULE: STUDENT-OWNED WORK
Destination Imagination emphasizes no scripts supplied by adults, no step-by-step adult directions, and no adult interference. Team members generate the ideas, design, construction, costumes, props, research, writing, and performance. A Team Manager may teach general skills, protect safety, ask open-ended questions, and manage logistics, but may not solve the Challenge for the team.
WHAT STUDENTS MUST DO
• Read the complete Team Challenge and Rules of the Road.
• Track official clarifications and ask the Team Manager before interpreting a rule.
• Select team roles while ensuring everyone understands the entire solution.
• Use a decision matrix to compare ideas against scoring opportunities, cost, time, risk, and team skills.
• Build, test, rehearse, document, and revise.
• Prepare two Team Choice Elements that showcase team strengths where required.
• Practice Instant Challenges weekly: performance, task, and combination problems.
• Learn time management, listening, rapid brainstorming, and respectful decision-making.
PARENT AND TEAM MANAGER GUIDELINES
Support attendance, materials, transportation, safe tool use, and fundraising without creating or repairing the team solution. Avoid suggesting story ideas, designs, fixes, lines, costumes, or performance choices. When uncertain, consult the official interference guidance.
TOURNAMENT AND ADVANCEMENT
Affiliate tournament dates for Hopkins will be posted when confirmed. Teams advance based on their affiliate’s qualification rules. Global Finals 2027 will be held May 20–23, 2027, in Kansas City, Missouri. The published U.S. Global Finals registration fee is $5,500 per team; travel, meals, and lodging are separate.
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL TEAM
Successful teams create a safe environment for unusual ideas, divide work fairly, use calendars and budgets, test early, accept constructive criticism, rehearse under time limits, and make every scoring element visible and understandable to judges.
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
2026–2027 Challenge previews: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-experience/challenge-previews/
Team resources and clarifications: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-experience/
Global Finals 2027: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-experience/global-finals/
HOPKINS INFORMATION
. Questions: Under Construction
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