What We Do

WHAT WE DO

The DI Challenge Experience is a hands-on problem solving experience that inspires kids to be outrageously creative. Using STEAM, teams of students think outside the box and create unique solutions to one of seven different challenges in preparation for a FUN innovative competition.

As parents and educators, our most important goal is to prepare our kids for the future. In Destination Imagination (DI), students work together in teams to solve open-ended challenges designed to teach the creative process. Why is that important?

The creative process is a step-by-step approach that helps students better understand problems and ask better questions, come up with solutions, learn from failure, and celebrate their achievements.

In going through this process, kids learn vital life and career skills—creative thinking, critical thinking, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving—that help them feel empowered and set them up for success in their future.

At Destination Imagination, we believe that when an educational experience is hands-on, collaborative and fun, students are empowered to take their learning to the next level and are excited to do so. DI provides unique educational experiences across seven project-based Challenge types–Technical, Scientific, Engineering, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Service Learning, and Early Learning.

New, open-ended Team Challenges are developed annually with the help of educators, subject matter experts and qualified volunteers to cover a wide range of student interests and align to current educational standards.

DI prepares students of all ages for their futures, whether they are heading to trade-school, apprenticeships, college, or directly into the workforce. DI participants learn how to manage projects, work on a team, think critically and creativively, communicate, and persist until they complete their goals. These are the skills employers look for in job candidates. Imagine being able to address all those skills at a job interview with actual examples from your work in DI!

Check out this season’s Challenge Previews!

HOW IT WORKS

The Challenge Experience is for pre-K, K-12 and university students. Teams develop solutions to project-based STEAM challenges and then present their solutions live at tournaments.

This entirely learner-focused methodology empowers students to take the lead and provides a framework within which they can take risks and learn from failure. DI participants become lifelong problem solvers who are inspired to innovate creative solutions to real-world challenges quickly and collaboratively.

Problem solving, team building, and a respect for others and their ideas are at the foundation of all of our Challenges.

Click here to see all this season’s marketing materials to help you get started with your neighborhood, school or community group!

WHY IT MATTERS

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 65% of today’s students will be employed in jobs that have yet to be invented. Our Challenges allow students from pre-K through university to become part of a global community of confident creators and practice the essential skills needed to thrive in school, future careers and beyond.

Destination Imagination Challenges are the prompts or guidelines for what a team creates. Our Challenges are open-ended, allowing teams to express themselves creatively and take full ownership of their solutions. Challenges are designed to teach the creative process—a system of learning that is at the root of innovation and a child’s ability to bring an idea to life. DI participants are better prepared for higher education and the workforce. They learn and practice teamwork, leadership and workforce skills while still in school.

DI also promotes SEL (Social Emotional Learning). As students work through the creative process to create their solutions to DI Challenges, they are practicing the SEL competencies that are necessary for their futures. Check out our blog on the subject, and listen to the Big Picture SEL podcast from September 2022 featuring DI.

Learn more about why parents of our participants love Destination Imagination.

YOUR NEXT STEP
Who Does DI?

All kids from all communities, all learners, all backgrounds!

Pre-K through university students looking for hands-on learning opportunities that allow them to practice creativity, perseverance and productive communication
Parents and guardians looking to provide life-changing experiences that will teach their children how to think, rather than what to think
Teachers and administrators looking to complement curriculum and prepare students to take on the world with curiosity and confidence
Volunteers looking to foster 21st century skills and social emotional learning in the next generation

The creative journey starts here.

Sound great? Start a team today!

CHALLENGE PROGRAM

Each year we offer seven new standards-based Challenges. 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 life long skills of creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, citizenship and courage to build on their unique strengths.

THE CHALLENGES

A DI team is a group of between 2 and 7 members that work together to develop a solution to one of our Team Challenges. Teams are responsible for designing and creating 100% of their Team Challenge solution. Absolutely no interference from non-team members is allowed. Teams are formed based on their grade or age and are designated as one of five Levels—the non-competitive Early Learning (K-gr 2) or the competitive Elementary, Middle, Secondary, or University Levels.
Read more about grade/age requirements for team formation

DI Challenges take on two distinct formats: Team Challenges and Instant Challenges

TEAM CHALLENGES

Each team selects one new and engaging Team Challenge requiring a solution that will be presented at the tournament. Team Challenges encourage students to explore their passions, discover their unique talents and abilities, and learn new skills. Team Challenges are available each year in the following categories: Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Engineering, Service Learning, and Early Learning. Although each Team Challenge has a specific educational focus, they each also incorporate elements to make them truly multi-disciplinary and cross-curricular (i.e., the Fine Arts Challenge will have a technical element and the Engineering Challenge will have an artistic or storytelling component.)

INSTANT CHALLENGES

Instant Challenges are quick creative and critical-thinking exercises that build teamwork and reinforce problem-solving skills like rapid ideation and implementation. Instant Challenges can be task-based, performance-based, or a combination of both. All teams practice Instant Challenges during the year and are given one at the tournament.

THE CHALLENGE SEASON:

Teams form and begin meeting between August and January. They typically spend 2-6 months developing their Team Challenge solutions and practicing Instant Challenges. MN DI teams showcase their challenge solutions at a state-wide tournament in March. For teams that qualify for Global Finals, their season may extend into May of each year. Teams that qualify can compete and celebrate at Global Finals which brings together teams from all around the world.

DI teams can be formed in many ways. Some schools run DI as an after school program, some school districts incorporate the program into their electives curriculum. Other teams run independently and are not affiliated with any school district; they may be from the home school community, after school clubs and organizations, scout or 4H clubs, etc.

THE TEAM:
Up to seven members can be on a team, and students from kindergarten through university level participate. Each team needs an adult Team Manager, aged at least 18. Team Managers help students stay on track but do not directly help the team develop its solution to the DI Challenge. Team Managers can be faculty members, parents, other family or community members.

A hallmark of the experience is that Challenges are solved together together as a team. A big part of our program is the No Interference policy: kids have to imagine, create and develop solutions on their own. Parents, Team Managers, family and friends can’t suggest ideas or force teams in certain directions. Non team members can only facilitate the acquisition of skills and knowledge.

THE TEAM MANAGER:

The Team Manager is an adult (often a parent or teacher) who teaches the creative process and helps keep the team on track, but does not assist or interfere with the team’s solution. Team Managers get access to valuable resources to help them along the way—a Team Manager Roadmap, as well as a catalogue of online learning modules they can access at their own pace. MN DI provides a range of virtual support and in person workshops for Team Managers and teams.

TOURNAMENTS:

DI tournaments are where teams present their Team Challenge solutions and solve an Instant Challenge for feedback and scores. All team members may participate in both the Team Challenge and Instant Challenge portion of the tournament. Each Team’s scores from their Team Challenge and Instant Challenge are combined and then ranked against others solving the same Challenge in their level. Top placing teams are invited to the next tournament in their Affiliate or to DI’s Global Finals tournament, whichever comes next.

Teams in our program learn higher order thinking and improve in creative thinking, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. Our participants experience the creative process, develop new friendships and learn to work together. Jump over to the Tournaments menu to learn more.

EARLY LEARNING

PATHWAYS

STEM & Literacy Pathways for Early Learners (Pathways) is the most recent and innovative product to be developed by Destination Imagination (DI) for Early Childhood.

Pathways is designed to prepare 3- to 6-year olds with a jump start in literacy as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (“STEM”) concepts, while promoting critical and creative thinking skills. These skills, combined with DI’s unique and proven style, aim to increase social, emotional, and educational outcomes for participants.

RISING STARS

Our Rising Stars! for Early Learners Challenge offers simple experiences with the creative process, and it gives young kids (preschool through 2nd grade) a place to work together and make new friends.

Every year, Destination Imagination writers develop a new Rising Stars! for Early Learners Challenge. They focus on creating a fun learning environment and allowing kids to be creative. The Challenge is noncompetitive, which helps ease pressure and lets kids play and experiment with their solutions. However, there is a showcase option, which allows teams to perform their solutions at a tournament.

Click here to preview our Early Learning programs.

LIVE AND ON DEMAND INFO SESSIONS

DI Info Session

We are always eager to share what we do, and how you can join!

Check the Calendar page on this website for MN DI virtual and in person info session dates.
Check here for a DI, Inc. hosted live or recorded session.
Conact Pamela Schroeder at pfschroeder@district287.org to arrange for a personal session.