The Destination Imagination Challenge Experience is a fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, curiosity, and courage through open-ended academic Challenges.
What is DI?
Destination Imagination (DI) is a volunteer-led non-profit organization that develops educational programs to teach students the creative process from imagination to innovation. The organization has more than one million alumni and 38,000 volunteers around the world.
Tournaments are held where student teams showcase their solutions to STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) Challenges. Our participants build lifelong confidence while working together to solve any challenge. Read about the proven results of Destination Imagination here.
The Challenge Experience is for pre-K, K-12, and university students.
Teams develop solutions to project-based STEAM challenges independently without interference and then present their solutions live at tournaments.
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.
There are 2 parts to participating in a DI Challenge
1 Team Challenge
Each team selects one Team Challenge that requires 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,
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.)
2 Instant Challenge
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.
How does the Challenge Season Work?
Teams form and begin meeting between August and January. They typically spend 2-6 months developing their Team Challenge solutions and practicing Instant Challenges. Each season is aligned with the Northern Hemisphere academic calendar. Most local tournaments take place between February and April. For teams that qualify for Global Finals, their season may extend into May of each year.
