Overview
Destination Imagination (DI) is a non-profit, volunteer-led, cause-driven organization. Our purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Annually, we offer seven new standards-based Challenges in STEM, Improv, Visual Arts, Service Learning, and Early Learning. Each Challenge is open-ended and enables student teams to learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation. Academic tournaments take place around the world where teams have the opportunity to present their solutions to trained appraisers. Students have fun and gain confidence in their ability to solve any challenge. In working to solve our Challenges, teams learn 21st century skills (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, citizenship and courage) to build on their unique strengths.
Arkansas Destination Imagination, Inc. (ARDI) is an official licensee of Destination Imagination, Inc. and operates as a non-profit organization supporting the state of Arkansas. ARDI supports the DI Vision and Mission by offering a variety of training and services to implement the educational experience in Arkansas.
Who
Up to seven members can be on a team, and students from kindergarten through university level participate. Each team needs an adult Team Manager. Team Managers direct students’ learning but do not directly help the team develop its solution to the DI Challenge. Team Managers are often faculty members or parents.
What
There are six new competitive Challenges to choose from each year. Each of the Challenges is developed by a team of educators and industry experts who target a particular area of the curriculum and its related standards of content and performance. The areas of focus include: Technical, Scientific, Structural, Fine Arts, Improvisational and Service Learning. There is also a non-competitive Early Learning Challenge that allows participants to develop social and problem solving skills.
When
Each season takes place during the school year, culminating with Global Finals in May. Depending on the Challenge, teams typically spend two to four months developing and practicing their Challenge solutions.
Where
The teams’ solutions are assessed at regional, state or national tournaments. While most schools run DI as an after school program, some school districts incorporate the program into their electives curriculum. Our tournaments provide the opportunity for participants to celebrate creativity with their peers and promote healthy competition. Every year, local volunteers help run 200 tournaments around the world.
Why
Teams in our program learn higher order thinking and improve in creative thinking, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. Our participants learn and experience the creative process, develop new friendships and learn to work together.
How
Teams choose one of the seven Challenges. After creating and developing their solutions, they go to a local tournament. Top-scoring teams advance to their state or country tournament, also know as an Affiliate tournament. The top-tier teams from each Affiliate tournament have the opportunity to participate in Global Finals–the world’s largest celebration of creativity.
Costs
How much you spend on Destination Imagination depends on the challenge selected, materials the team chooses to use, how creative the team is in using materials, and how far the team advances in the tournaments. Regardless of how much is spent on the program, the educational experience is priceless.
Required:
$110 – Program Materials, Access to all challenge material details, Rules of the Road, and Road Map. Access to DI online DI training classes, including the Team Manager certification courses.
$100 – Arkansas Fees, Includes participation in Regional & State tournaments for the team and online and in person team manager training. Personalized mentoring for all team managers as requested.
$40 – Team Manager Background Check
$150-$200 – Each challenge has a specific budget for the materials used to solve the challenge. The team must not spend more than is budgeted for the solution.
Other Costs:
Materials for Instant Challenge practice
Snacks for team meetings
Global Finals – Teams can advance from our Arkansas State tournament to the Destination Imagination Global Finals tournament. If a team qualifies for Global Finals, they are not obligated to attend. Teams often work very hard on fundraising to raise the money to travel and attend. For more information about Global Finals, visit www.globalfinals.org. The cost per team is $5500 for registration, plus food, housing, travel, t-shirts, and trading pins.
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