Destination Imagination

Last updated
Destination Imagination, Inc.
Destination Imagination Logo.png
Location
Area served
US, Canada, and 30 other countries
ProductsEducational Programs that teach 21st century skills
Members
1 million alumni
Owner501(c)(3)
Key people
Michele Tuck-Ponder
Revenue
$10 million
Employees
30
Volunteers
38,000 [1]
Formerly called
OM Association, Inc.

Destination Imagination (DI) is a volunteer-led, educational non-profit organization that teaches "21st century" skills and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) principles to kindergarten through university level students by collaborative problem solving challenges.

Contents

History

Founded in 1999, Destination Imagination emerged as the result of a dispute between splinter factions within the Odyssey of the Mind Organization, which was founded in 1978 as a creative problem solving competition at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. On September 24, 1999, Odyssey of the Mind Association, Inc. (the non-profit group responsible for holding international creative-thinking competitions), and Creative Competitions, Inc. (the company holding intellectual property of support materials), reached an agreement wherein Creative Competitions would retain intellectual property rights and both organizations would sponsor separate creative competitions. During the dispute, some Odyssey volunteers formed another problem-solving organization, Destination Imagination, because they feared the legal dispute would hold up the year's competition. Destination Imagination subsequently merged with OM Association "to help unify [its] volunteers and make (our group) the pre-eminent world-class problem-solving program for students," according to then-OM Association Executive Director Robert Purifico. [2]

Challenge Program

The standards-based challenges have both long and short-term components. In August of each year, Destination Imagination releases seven new challenges, pertaining to different subject matter areas that a team must solve. Teams then have until the date of their first tournament to work on the challenges. All challenges include a presentation portion, rehearsed or on the spot. The types of team challenges include technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisational, structural, service learning, and early learning challenges.[ citation needed ]

Types of Team Challenges

Each year, Destination Imagination releases seven challenges geared to specific learning objectives. These challenges are then solved by teams.

Technical

The Technical Challenge requires teams to build equipment, such as vehicles, in order to solve their challenge. They must also include a performance, in a specific form or about a general topic supplied with the challenge. In addition, the challenge requires teams to create specific elements unique to the team that will count as Team Choice Elements. The team will be evaluated on their creativity and originality, the quality, workmanship and effort, and the integration of the elements into the presentation. Normally, Team Choice Elements account for 15% of a team's score. The Team Choice Element can be anything that the team chooses, as long as it is not a scoring element.[ citation needed ]

Scientific

The Scientific Challenge requires teams to do research on a specific aspect of science, and then create a performance based on it. Sometimes, there is also a specific requirement to build a certain kind of prop or costume. In addition, the challenge requires teams to create two specific elements unique to the team that will count as Team Choice Elements. The team will be evaluated on the creativity and originality, the quality, workmanship and effort, and the integration of the element into the presentation. Normally, Team Choice Elements account for 15% of a team's score. The Team Choice Element can be anything that the team chooses, as long as it is not a scoring element.

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Challenge requires teams to create and act out a performance that demonstrates some theatrical technique. It may be to use a certain method of presentation or to make a certain type of prop. In addition, the challenge requires teams to create two specific elements unique to the team that will count as Team Choice Elements. The team will be evaluated on the creativity and originality, the quality, workmanship and effort, and the integration of the element into the presentation. Normally, Team Choice Elements account for 15% of a team's score. The Team Choice Element can be anything that the team chooses, as long as it is not a scoring element.

Improvisational

The Improvisational Challenge requires teams to think on their feet and create a skit within a short window of time, and then present it. There is usually a theme, of some sort, as well as a prop requirement that requires teams to create or incorporate different props. The team will also be evaluated for teamwork in this challenge.

Engineering

The Engineering Challenge requires teams to create a structure, with material and weight requirements, as well as an accompanying performance that has to do with some aspect of the structure. The structures are scored using a weight held ratio (WHR), where the weight held at the tournament is divided over the weight of the structure, to create a fair comparison of team structures. Some years, there have been additional elements that the team had to incorporate into their structures, such as holding golf balls. By performing these extra tasks, the team may receive additional weight held credit. In addition, the challenge requires teams to create two specific elements unique to the team that will count as Team Choice Elements. The team will be evaluated on the creativity and originality, the quality, workmanship and effort, and the integration of the element into the presentation. Normally, Team Choice Elements account for 15% of a team's score. The Team Choice Element can be anything that the team chooses, as long as it is not a scoring element.

Service Learning

The Service Learning Challenge, also known as projectOUTREACH, requires teams to do a service project that benefits their community, and then create a performance to present at the tournament. The challenge always has a theme that the team has to incorporate into their skit, or the way they carry out their project. For some program seasons, the challenge requires teams to create two specific elements unique to the team that will count as Team Choice Elements. The team will be evaluated on the creativity and originality, the quality, workmanship and effort, and the integration of the element into the presentation. Normally, Team Choice Elements account for 15% of a team's score. The Team Choice Element can be anything that the team chooses, as long as it is not a scoring element.

Early Learning

For kids 4-to-7 years of age, Destination Imagination offers the Rising Stars! for Early Learners Challenge. The challenge encourages kids to be creative and is noncompetitive, which allows kids to play and experiment with their solutions without pressure. The children can also partake in the showcase option, which allows them to present their solutions at a tournament.

[3]

Instant Challenge

Once entering the restricted Instant Challenge area, teams are directed to a holding room where they turn in paperwork, and take the Instant Challenge Promise, which states, "We promise not to talk about ANYTHING that we see, hear, do or say in this room UNTIL AFTER GLOBAL FINALS. If we are heard or are found to have shared this Challenge with anyone, we will be disqualified from the Tournament. However, we can talk about it privately among our team and Team Manager(s)." [4] After taking the promise, the team is directed to an Instant Challenge room, where they complete the Instant Challenge. Once the Instant Challenge is complete, teams are either taken to a "chill-out" room, or released from the Instant Challenge Area. In a "chill-out" room, teams may quietly discuss the Instant Challenge among themselves and their team manager.

Tournaments

Team solutions are assessed at a regional tournament, an affiliate (state, province or country) tournament or Global Finals. Every year, local volunteers help run over 200 Destination Imagination tournaments around the world.

At the tournament, Destination Imagination teams will solve two types of Challenges: Team Challenges and Instant Challenges. Teams will perform their Challenge solutions to a group of Appraisers. Destination Imagination Appraisers are local volunteers who have been trained to assess the Challenges.

Global Finals

Destination Imagination teams that advance past regional, state, and country tournaments are invited to participate in Global Finals. (Note: When global finals are held in the US, US teams bypass country tournaments and go straight to global finals. Not all countries host a regional or state competition.) Global Finals is the culminating event of every Destination Imagination season.

Destination ImagiNation Affiliates

U.S. Affiliates

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  • Flag of New Jersey.svg New Jersey Destination ImagiNation
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  • Flag of North Carolina.svg North Carolina Destination ImagiNation
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  • Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg US Virgin Islands Destination ImagiNation
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  • Flag of West Virginia.svg West Virginia Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Wisconsin.svg Wisconsin Destination ImagiNation
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Canada Affiliates

  • Flag of Alberta.svg Alberta Destination Imagination
  • Flag of British Columbia.svg British Columbia Destination Imagination
  • Flag of Manitoba.svg Manitoba Destination Imagination
  • Flag of New Brunswick.svg New Brunswick Destination Imagination
  • Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Nova Scotia Destination Imagination
  • Flag of Ontario.svg Ontario Destination Imagination
  • Flag of Quebec.svg Quebec Destination Imagination
  • Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Saskatchewan Destination Imagination
  • Flag of Yukon.svg Yukon Destination Imagination

International Affiliates

  • Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of the Cayman Islands.svg Cayman Islands Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Destination ImagiNation
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  • Flag of England.svg England Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of India.svg India Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of South Korea.svg KACE - South Korea Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of South Korea.svg KASI - South Korea Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Poland.svg Poland Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Romania.svg Romania Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Destination ImagiNation
  • Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates Destination ImagiNation

STEM & Literacy Pathways for Early Learners

In October 2012, Destination Imagination established the STEM & Literacy Pathways for Early Learners (Pathways) for children 3 – 6 years of age. Using fun and engaging activities for school and at home, Pathways provides children with a jump start in literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ("STEM") concepts, while promoting critical and creative thinking skills.[ citation needed ]

Notes

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    Scenic design Creation of theatrical or film scenery

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    Short program (figure skating)

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    Free skating

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    Assemblage refers to a text "built primarily and explicitly from existing texts to solve a writing or communication problem in a new context". The concept was first proposed by Johndan Johnson-Eilola and Stuart Selber in the journal Computers & Composition in 2007. The notion of assemblages builds on remix and remix practices, which blur distinctions between invented and borrowed work. This idea predates modernism, with the quote by Edgar Allan Poe, "There is no greater mistake than the supposition that a true originality is a mere matter of impulse or inspiration. To originate, is carefully, patiently, and understandingly to combine."

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    A choreographic sequence is a required element for the figure skating in all international competitions. A "maximum of 1" choreographic sequence is required during the free skating programs of single skating and pair skating.

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    References

    1. http://www.destinationimagination.org/who-we-are/press-releases/di-students-do-better-in-school
    2. Wang, Katie (2 October 1999). "Odyssey Group Is Of Two Minds Feud, Legal Battle And Split Will Mean A Choice Between 2 Competitions." The Morning Call. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
    3. "Past Challenges | Montana Destination Imagination".
    4. "Team Manager's Information". Instant Challenge Promise. New Jersey Destination ImagiNation. 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-03-05.