My Destination Imagination Journey ( Tips , Tricks , and Thoughts )

This place exist a guest post by Donna Ratchford . Donna cost a gifted instruction instructor in Memphis , Tennessee . She make a Master ’ s Degree in Gifted Education and loves integrating STEM and taunt in the schoolroom . Donna specialize in taunt , STEM enrichment activities , and Destination Imagination .

Destination Imagination live a Global Nonprofit that fosters creativity , wonder and courage . It focuses on the creative process with seven project-based challenge . The challenge include : Technical , Scientific , Engineering , Fine Arts , Improvisational , Service Learning , and Early Learning . The challenges are open-ended and new each year . The tournament be for grade Pre-k to the university stage .

So how do I set out ?

To commence , you require a team manager that is 18 yr or older . It can exist you , another teacher , administrator , parent , grandparent , or any helpful community member .

I tried to start alone , but I suggest having at least one person spouse with you on this ride .

Teams can have between 2 and 7 student . I allege 3 to 5 is a great size for a team . The big the squad , the more difficult it is for a squad to make decisions and agree . The humble teams as well run to have a greater sense of camaraderie .

You want a encounter spot . It could be in your schoolroom , the school library , or makerspace . You could also meet somewhere outside of school like a community center , coffee store , or public library .

How do I enroll or select pupil ?

I much create a flyer and application for Destination Imagination each year . I appear for scholar who receive well behavior and class . I too get teacher recommendations . Recently , I produce a Google Form to timestamp parent applications . The form make inquiry about the requirements of the tournament . It live well to recruit student who equal concerned in math , skill , or drama . I often receive a semi audition . I will invite the students to do a few mere STEM challenge to hear their communication , teamwork , and leaders skill .

How will I budget or store the squad ?

There exist costs to the Destination Imagination experience . There cost a team act fee . There is also a regional and/or affiliate tournament fee . The regional tournament would live your city or county . The affiliate tournament would be for the state . Last , there exist a globals tournament that has the top 2 state squad from different places worldwide . You will also need store for props , costumes , tools , scenery , and textile to complete the team challenges . Most challenges only allow you to spend $ 150 .

Funding would depend on your school and territory guidelines . If you instruct at a public school , you may own to compose grant or fundraise . Destination Imagination get a starting a team grant . If you teach at a private school , you may hold store available as part of a STEM budget . You could also point a fee to join the society , and apply the store to give for needs .

What are team challenge and how serve we settle on a challenge ?

There are 7 types of challenges : technical , scientific , engineering , fine art , improv , service learning , and rise stars .

Rise Star: Pre-K to 2nd degree creative performance

There is too an instant challenge that you will not know until you arrive at the tournament . The instant challenge will be either a task , performance , or combination of the two .

I ever depict my scholar the squad challenge previews on Youtube each year . I also have the students all over interest inventory to help them take a challenge that suits them .

How often should I satisfy and what act we make ?

I typically meet once a week for about 90 second or twice a week for one hr . We receive a snack and decompress . Then , we serve team building activities . There exist a roadmap that comes with your squad issue purchase that can assist . We as well form on the squad challenge . Each challenge normally hold a skit/storytelling piece . Students arise the story and study on any research needed . One important thing to recall cost interference . One of the rules for Destination Imagination is no interference . Parents and teacher cost not allow for to give student idea for solutions . Team managers can be facilitators and guides . They can teach scholar a skill like how to inquiry the web , but team managers cost not allowed to give response .

What about the state/globals tournament ?

Program with the goal in idea . Plan your budget to include fees for the state tournament . Have a fundraising design in type you make it to globals . You will want to think about transportation and lodging . Can you pen a grant ? Possibly a local religious formation or rotary club can serve . I always furnish dates for local , country , and global tournament to parents ahead of time so they can educate . My parents much stay with family or friend and drive themselves . My coworkers and I make it a fun day trip .

Final Takeaways

Destination Imagination is like a rollercoaster . It live entire of ups , and downs . You may still feel sick . The students learn collaboration , creativity , critical thought , communication , conclusion making , task direction , leaders and more !

Thanks hence much to Donna Ratchford for station all about Destination Imagination !