Competitive DI teams should consist of a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 7 members.
All team members do not have to be in the same school or same grade. However, having all members close in age is helpful when registering the team for the appropriate challenge level. Coppell DI supports teams at the following levels. A team's competition level is decided by the age/grade of the oldest member on the team.
Non-competitive Early Learning Level: Preschool - 2nd grade (Note: This age limit is just a suggestion, because this is a non-competitive category. For the same reason, there's no limit in the number of team members. But 5-7 members is highly recommended.)
Elementary Level: Up to 5th grade
Middle Level: 6th - 8th grade
Secondary Level: 9th - 12th grade
Useful Tip: You don't have to finalize your team roster when you register/purchase the Team Number. You have until January to do that. If you have a few committed members at the start of the season, you're good to go to step 2.
If you're reading this, you must be considering to manage your team. Go for it! It's an immensely rewarding experience.
TVNC Region offers wonderful in-person and virtual training for Team Managers throughout the season. They also host workshops and scrimmages designed for new and seasoned DI teams. DIHQ will also automatically enroll you in self-paced training programs you can follow at your convenience.
If you worry that you're not a natural-born teacher or coach, don't! Your role as a Team Manager is to facilitate your team's creative problem-solving process, not to solve the challenge for them. As long as you can direct the team to find resources and learn skills that they need, you don't even have to be strong in STEM or art. DI is a child-driven program with its famous anti-interference policy. Children are empowered to visualize their project and set the path for themselves. By encouraging and enabling the children to take ownership, we help raise the next generation to be truly creative, confident and self-sufficient. DI's challenge design and appraisal system support this concept and as a result we see innovation blossom every year.
Useful Tip: If you're concerned about the time commitment, you may find a co-manager to help you. Nevertheless, whether you're managing your team solo or with a partner, you can (and you should) always engage the rest of the team's parents for support.
Purchase your Team Number here: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-experience/start-a-team/
After the purchase, you'll receive an email with instructions for next steps. Follow those and set up your team in the DI Resource Area. Don't Forget: When you get to the Background Check for the Team Manager(s), you DON'T have to spend $25 to do with DI/Sterling. Find out how in Step 4.
Team Manager(s) must have a cleared background check on file to access challenge materials, but you don't have to purchase the $25 background check through DI. Follow the instructions below to get a free background check through Coppell ISD, and get your name added to our district DI group waiver.
Follow the steps on this page to get your volunteer background check through Coppell ISD.
When your background check is passed, you will receive an email from Coppell ISD Human Resources. The email is titled "Congratulations, you're the newest Volunteer in Coppell ISD!" Please forward it to iheartdicoppell@gmail.com, as long as it is dated after July 1st, 2025. (Note: if you are a CISD employee, you don't have to submit this background check.)
Along with the above email, please also include the email address, as well as your first and last name, that you used in the DI Resource Area. (Note: if you're a CISD employee, please just email iheartdicoppell@gmail.com to request the background check waiver, indicate you're a CISD employee, and include the email address plus first and last name you're using in the DI Resource Area.)
Within 3 days of receiving your forwarded email and information, we will file the group waiver for you. Your approval will come within another 2-3 days.
Useful Tip: This step doesn't cost you any money but there is a few days' turnaround time involved. If you're weighing some options before committing to buy the Team Number (Step 3), you may do Step 4 first to buy yourself some time. The CISD Background Check is always useful when you volunteer at your child's school anytime during the school year.
In your DI Resource Area you should have your team set up and have yourself assigned as the Team Manager. (The Team Member section should stay empty until later when we start Tournament Registration in November or December.)
When your Background Check Group Waiver is approved, your Background Check Status will turn green and you will then be able to download your Challenge Materials under Documents.
This is the fun part! Enjoy your weekly meetings and see your team's creativity blossom! Team Manager training is available at TVNC DI region as the season progress (see our calendar below). You will also receive virtual training materials from DI Headquarters to follow at your own pace. Sign up to the TVNC newsletter and watch your emails from DI Headquarters.
Have questions? Email your District Coordinator at iheartdicoppell@gmail.com.