Destination ImagiNation is a creative academic competition whereby students take on a challenge in one of the following categories: Engineering, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Service Learning, Technical, or Early Learning. I have organized and coached more than twenty Destination ImagiNation teams, leading students to place at the Regional and State levels. This competition includes an Instant Challenge project as well, which incorporates elements of engineering design, interactive and improvisational learning, and performance. Students are able to design sets, write scripts, and use their creativity on all levels within the framework of this competition. **Parents of students who participate in Destination ImagiNation teams are required to sign media release forms. All photos of DI students are used with parent permission.**
More information about Destination ImagiNation competitions can be found here: www.destinationimagination.org/ , Destination ImagiNation Parents Guide
Community partnership presentation: Evolve Chiropractic Presentation
Set design is a crucial element of a successful DI competition presentation. One primary rule of DI is that it all must be student work. No coach or parent interference is allowed. Coaches are facilitators, and adults are only allowed to help with elements of the work that is unsafe for children (like the use of certain power tools). Students cannot go over budget, so sets are largely composed of recycled materials or repurposed household items and even trash. Students are able to assemble interactive and versatile sets. Set design requires a lot of work and time, but it is very rewarding. Students are often able to reuse parts of sets they build for play after competition.
Costume Creation: Students design and create artistic costumes for their character(s) during the performances they craft. Costumes are elaborative and creative, and students often design costumes for multiple characters they embed in their stories. Like sets, costumes must be created from low-cost or recycled materials to encourage creativity and keep the competition fair so no child is spending more on costumes or purchasing pre-made items. Students also design a team shirt which the students wear during the Instant Challenge portion of the competition.
Community Outreach: For many team challenges, especially the Service Learning category, students are required to contact community partners and cultivate relationships that allow them to accomplish specific goals of their respective challenges. These community outreach efforts help students gain confidence, practice public speaking, and they learn the importance of networking. Within the DI challenges, my students have partnered with universities and community colleges, local food banks, community gardens, government organizations, anti-bullying organizations, local non-profits, restaurants, large and small businesses, and more.
Friendship and Community: When I select students for my Destination ImagiNation teams, there is an application and audition process involved. In order to ensure students participation and involvement meets the work and time requirements necessary for a successful team, I require a parent contract which is enforced. Students work during and after school and on weekends, and I am at as many of the work sessions as possible. Throughout the season, the teams, including parents and extended families, as well as my only family, grow closer in support of the students and their projects. Families attend events together, share meals, stay at hotels, and complete fundraising work. These activities foster the relationships between educators, students, and parents that make a more rewarding educational experience for all involved. These connections are crucial in building a school family.
