Destination Imagination – Start your Creative Journey

We continuously aspire to provide avenues for young people to imagine and innovate so that they become the creative and collaborative leaders of tomorrow. As part of this endeavor we bring to you the CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE of Destination Imagination in UAE – a program for pre-K, K-12 and university students. Teams develop solutions to project-based STEAM challenges and then present their solutions live at tournaments.

THE CHALLENGES

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.

WHERE IT WORKS

DI’s Challenge Experience can work in many different education environments, as well as at home with friends or classmates. If there are students gathering on a regular basis, then a Challenge Experience team is possible! Here are just some examples of where the Challenge Experience can work.

  • Afterschool or out-of-school time (OST) programs
  • In-school enrichment time
  • Homeschool co-ops
  • STEAM/STEM clubs and classrooms
  • International Baccalaureate & Middle Years Programs
  • Montessori classrooms (3rd grade & up)
  • Library and museum youth programs
  • Families, friends, and community groups
  • Gifted and talented programs

THE TEAM

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 or the competitive Elementary, Middle, Secondary, or University Levels.

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. Each DI Affiliate may also offer in-person or virtual training for Team Managers in a particular geography.

TEAM SUPPORT & PARENTS

Parents and other family members can stay involved with teams by supporting their Team Managers. Teaching team members new skills, helping to find supplies, or even providing snacks are a few of the ways parents can help out. They can also volunteer to help out at local tournaments.

THE 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, whichever comes next.