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Welcome to Stow, MA DestiNation Imagination!
Login for Coaches
What is Destination ImagiNation?
You've heard of spelling bees, quiz bowls, robotics competitions and
science fairs. In fact, there is probably an event for every school
subject. Destination ImagiNation (or "DI" as it is commonly referred
to) is none of those things - and all of those things! DI is a
community-based, school-friendly program where young people take what
they know and what they do well and learn to apply it to solve
Challenges. They work cooperatively on a team, with a coach, and push
the limits of imagination to best not their competition, but themselves.
How do I do DI?
DI is not so much a program as a process. Teams of up to seven members
work together to learn Creative Problem Solving tools and to apply them
along with the team's particular talents to solve DI Challenges,
otherwise known as a great practice drill for the challenges in real
life! Participants will develop lifelong skills that carry over into
everyday life - but most of all, they will have fun, discover talents
they never knew they had, become friends with other young people they
might not have ever met, and reap the rewards of teamwork and friendship
as they grow and learn.
Every year there are new Central Challenges. Each team chooses one
and works on solving it throughout the season (amongst doing other
challenging things coaches will throw at you). Children are grouped by
grade. The K-2 teams have a fixed challenge (i.e., they don't choose
and it's called "Rising Stars!"). Then there are Grades 3-5 and 6-8
groups who choose one from five Challenges.
Check out the 2008/2009
Challenges now.
2008-2009 Program Details
Teams form in late October, meetings start around Thanksgiving and
teams meet approximately weekly for 1-1.5 hours through March. More
meetings may be scheduled depending on the amount of progress on solving
the Central Challenge. They can
meet at coach's homes or rotate amongst team member's homes.
The Regional Tournament (in Ayer) will be Saturday, March 21,
2009. Expect several extra practices in the weeks before the tournament.
You must be able to commit to being free on tournament day as this is the
culmination of the year's work and all members must compete and perform
their solutions. It's a chance for kids to show off how well they have
learned to work with each other. Kids feel empowered. Parents are
proud. Coaches are rewarded. It's a great feeling all around. Everyone
wins!
Can you give me some candid inside information?
Absolutely! Check out Paul
Trunfio's blog posting for some insight into last season. Much more
extensive comments can be found on Reflections
on DI
(which focus on Paul's personal experience of DI from coach's and
parent's perspectives). You can also view Paul's team website History Kids from 2007-8 with team notebook (meeting
details), image
gallery, and video from our regional tournament.
How can I sign up?
OK, are you ready for a life changing positive experience for your
child? Sign up forms are due October 22, 2008! Return
to Pompo/Center/Hale Main Offices.
2008-9 Registration Form
Volunteer Form (we need coaches!)
Where can I look for more information?
Haven't had enough yet? If you would like more high level
information about the program, take a look at the
Massachusetts Destination ImagiNation
site and the national Destination
ImagiNation site.
If you want to hear an inspiring talk on creativity, then check out:
Ken
Robinson's TED talk: Do schools kill creativity?
Can I donate?
Yes, we love donations which help defray the costs of the program and
help fund teams' trips to Global Finals. Donations can be sent to:
Friends of Stow DI, P.O. Box 294, Stow, MA 01775 c/o Karen Wall
But wait, that's not all... here are some good links you can use
whether you join the program or not!
-
Maine DI's practice instant challenges!
- D.I.S.C. (Destination Imagination Support Committee)
- NH-DI, New Hampshire's DI site
- Camp Gottalikachallenge
Contact Meghan Ryan
(Stow DI Coordinator) or Paul
Trunfio (Coach and Website) for questions.
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