What is Destination Imagination?
Destination Imagination is based on the concept of divergent thinking – understanding that there is more than one way to solve a problem. Every year Destination Imagination offers to every team a selection of Team Challenges. The Team Challenge allows team members to choose the Challenge they are most interested in solving and then to devote their creative energies to solving the Challenge in their own way. The Challenges are not easy; teams will spend several months developing their own unique answers. In addition each team competes in an instant challenge that they need to solve right on the spot. They are fast paced tests of ingenuity that are fun and stimulating.
Regional Tournament for the Central Region was in Wenatchee on March 3rd, 2007.
Challenges this Year:
(Our teams competed in these three challenges)
Challenge A: Direct Flight
The team will design and construct one or more aircraft that will fly to one of several landing zones. The team will design and construct up to three elevators that will raise and release the aircraft. The team will randomly select test flight cards and conduct test flights of the aircraft as described on the cards. The team will present a skit that will bring together all the elements of the team's presentation.
Team of Marcus Agidius, Austin Garrett, Michael Lesmeister, and Sergey Tkachev. This team won first at regionals. This team solved their challenge by creating a story about designing an aircraft capable of taking the team to Mars. This team has been invited to the state tournament.
Challenge C: CSI: DI
The team will develop and present an original story about the investigation of a case, the supporting evidence and the resolution of that case. The story will include a colorful character and a shadowy character. The team will use innovative, methods to produce a theatrical CSI effect by using color, shadow and/or illumination. They will also design and build a gadget that uses one of more of the properties of visible light coming from or into the gadget to reveal or analyze a piece of physical evidence.
Team of Kara Goodwin, June Kim, Caitlin Lun, Hannah Melling, Nigel Melling, and Jennifer vanDyk. This team won third at regionals. This team solved their challenge by creating a wonderfully humorous presentation of a dog theft. This team was also recognized with a Spirit of Discovery and Imagination Award for their Instant Challenge performance.
Teams will research 6 different nations and their traditions. In 30 minutes prior to performing at the tournament, the team will create a skit with 3 scenes that include a nation's tradition and one ‘sensory' experience from that nation. The team will also integrate a randomly selected situation into their skit. The team will also design and make a traditioner that will highlight one or more of the traditions in the skit. Furthermore, the team will use a selected improv technique in the skit. The team will create and perform a six-minute skit that incorporates all of the required elements in an entertaining presentation. Immediately before the performance, the team will select a picture and will have one minute to interpret the picture & plan to incorporate it in the skit.
Team of Sydney Christensen, Cameron Davis, Andrew Glaeser, Rebecca Lemons, Blake Rowley, and Frances Ungerecht. This team won first at regionals and has been invited to the state tournament. In thirty minutes this team created a scene involving traditions from Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe. In addition to winning this challenge, one of its members, Blake Rowley, was recognized with a Renaissance Award for his improvisational acting.
Challenge E: Card-DI-ology
The team will design, build and test a structure made completely of playing
cards with or without glue. The team will test its strength by placing
weights upon it at the tournament. The team will create an architectural
drawing of the structure, and will create a story about the impact or effect
any kind of card or cards has on a character in the story.
Team of Zach Cowden, Alex Fuecht, Alec Gauthier, Carson Linklater, and Vanessa Wyckoff. This team won second at regionals. This team solved their challenge by creating a triangular structure that represented a trophy fought over between two card players. One of its members, Alex Fuecht, was also recognized with a Renaissance Award for his “exceptional design and quality of the “card cape. The workmanship and skill involved with the creation of the cape showed amazing attention to detail.”
Ted Knauft
John Sager Middle School
7 th and 8 th grade Highly Capable Teacher
Information on Challenges and D.I. taken from promotional pamphlet and Central Tournament brochure.