Articles
Destination Imagination Celebrates its 30th Anniversary at Global Finals
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- Category: Press
- Published on Monday, 06 May 2013 14:21
- Written by Kate Wise
- Hits: 58
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Veronica Mikitka
215-434-7194
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Destination Imagination, a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the global community by providing opportunities for learners of all ages, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary at Global Finals, the world's largest creative thinking and problem solving competition for kids May 22-25. With a record setting 1,419 qualifying teams, participants from 42 states and 14 countries, will travel to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
With more than 15,000 teams competing at the regional Destination Imagination Challenge tournaments throughout the year, only the top teams received a coveted spot at Global Finals. During the week-long competition, these teams will present their regional project and compete in open-ended challenges. These challenges require the team to solve a problem using a holistic approach of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge, improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication innovation, teamwork and community service, in one of seven challenge categories.
"Every year I look forward to seeing the top teams enthusiastically use their reasoning, problem solving skills, courage to take a risk, and perseverance to solve their Challenge," said Chuck Cadle , Chief Executive Officer of Destination Imagination, Inc. "Since the beginning, we've been able to give these students a once in a lifetime experience where they learn 21st century skills that will be used throughout their life."
"Destination Imagination's Global Finals event is a fantastic exhibition of the 4Cs of Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking in action. We are proud to count DI among members of P21, and celebrate their efforts to bring the power of creativity to students around the globe," said Dr. Steve Paine , President of Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21).
Along with competition challenges, keynote speakers and social events, Global Finals will offer an interactive glimpse at the future of technology at the Innovation Expo. This year's Expo will feature 23 hands on activities that include:
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3M celebrates innovation with three activities:
- 3M Explore The Uncharted allows teams to race through an underwater adventure as they uncover clues, discover marine life and hunt for hidden treasures. Students will apply their Science and Engineering skills as they learn about the effects that plastic pollution has on the sustainability of our oceans.
- 3M Duct Tape Playground is an area where the students will be able to use the newest patterned duct tape by making a craft or participating in the Tape-by-Numbers mural.
- 3M Racing is giving students the opportunity to experience their custom wrapped NASCAR car.
- NASCAR's STEM Initiative - Ten80 Student Racing Challenge is a project-based STEM curriculum, and optional competition league helping students to understand STEM subjects and careers.
- National Geographic, celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the National Geographic Society, will feature an exhibition of the wackiest, weirdest true facts about the animal world as well as launching an attempt at breaking a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of nature photos.
- Hitachi will have demonstrations allowing participants to use a tabletop scanning electron microscope to observe everyday objects around them such as fibers, plastic, plants, and insects.
- Data Wind is sharing how to create a more connected world through internet access devices with affordable internet connectivity by providing the U.S.'s first pre-view of the world's least expensive tablet.
To find information on all of the exhibits, visit www.globalfinals.org/expo/2013-exhibitors.
Influencing Millions
Since its inception 30 years ago, Destination Imagination has impacted more than 1.5 million young people, who have gone on to attend top tiered universities, receive national awards, and launch successful careers in the arts like Chris Colfer from Glee and Zac Efron from High School Musical, and science and math like Dr. Kristen Jerger , patent holder for a surgical aspirator. Beyond impacting participants, Destination Imagination Global Finals has been a major economic contributor to Knoxville and the surrounding communities. Every May, for the past eight years, the event has contributed $20 million annually to the local economy.
"The city of Knoxville and the surrounding areas are proud to welcome Destination Imaginations Global Finals participants to our town," said Madeline Rogero , Mayor of Knoxville. "It is our honor for the past eight years to be able to host students from across the United States and the world who showcase their excitement and knowledge in this educational challenge program."
"I'd like to personally welcome all the Destination Imagination Global Finals participants and their families to Knox County," said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett . "Our community is excited to host this competition, and we applaud the program's extraordinary students for their creative thinking and problem solving skills."
DI-TV – Sharing the Excitement with Those Unable to Attend
For those unable to attend Global Finals, they will be able to view a livestream of the opening and closing ceremonies on DI-TV, sponsored by IBM. Throughout the week, DI-TV will broadcast student reporter interviews, footage from the tournament and Innovation Expo, information about upcoming events, sponsor and partner interviews, and educator interviews at www.globalfinals.org.
About Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps children discover their creative processes. The most popular education offering is the Challenge Program, where student teams solve open-ended Challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. Founded in 1982, Destination Imagination has impacted more than a million students. To learn more, please visit http://www.globalfinals.org.
About Partnership for 21st Century Skills
As a catalyst organization in the 21st Century Skills Movement, P21 works with education leaders, the business community, and state and federal policymakers to ensure that the U.S. education system equips students with rigorous content knowledge and the skills they need for college, career, and citizenship.
2013 Press Release for Teams
- Details
- Category: Press
- Published on Monday, 04 March 2013 18:45
- Written by Kate Wise
- Hits: 74
Click here to download the Word Document.
Month Day, 2013
Contact:
(TM Name)
(TM Phone Number)
(TM e-mail address)
(Your Team Name) advances to Destination Imagination's Global Finals,
the largest creativity celebration in the world.
YOUR CITY, STATE -- After winning honors for creativity, teamwork and problem solving in local, state and regional tournaments, (Your Team Name) has earned the right to travel to Destination Imagination's Global Finals, the largest creative thinking and problem solving competition in the world, to be held May 22-26 in Knoxville, TN. Team members include (Names, ages and school attended).
They will compete with other teams in the (Challenge Name), one of seven, open-ended challenges that require young people to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), in addition to improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork and community service.
"QUOTE FROM YOU," said Team Manager YOUR NAME.
"QUOTE FROM ONE OR TWO OF THE KIDS."
Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million young people and adults who have benefitted from taking part in its acclaimed Challenge Program. This year, another 100,000 young people have competed in tournaments throughout the U.S. and in 30 countries to earn a spot at the Global Finals competition in May.
(YOUR TEAM NAME) is among more than 8,000 students representing more than 1,250 teams that will advance to Global Finals, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville May 22-26.
“The Destination Imagination Program allows students K-College to learn and experience the creative process. Quantitative reasoning, problem solving, risk taking, collaboration, presentations and thinking on your feet are some of the important skills learned in the program,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO.
This year, National Geographic’s world renowned author and photographer, Joel Sartore, will be addressing the participants at the Global Finals Opening Ceremony. This year’s Global Finals Innovation Expo will house engaging exhibits from NASA, Michigan Tech’s Mindtrekkers, 3M and many other innovative companies. In addition, participants will have a chance to explore the depths of our planet’s oceans and learn about environmental conservation through the 3M-sponsored, interactive “Explore the Uncharted” exhibit.
Destination Imagination is an educational program where student teams are immersed in the creative process needed to solve open-ended challenges, and then present their solutions at regional and state tournaments. If they win at those levels, they may receive an invitation to Global Finals.
“The DI competition requires students to work through some very demanding critical thinking and problem solving assignments that strengthen our educational systems by enhancing the learning processes taking place in the classroom,” declared Cadle. “We’ve seen the development of superior aptitudes in analytical thinking, leadership, project management, teamwork, communication, research and innovation in hundreds of thousands of youth since our organization’s inception almost three decades ago, and we believe Destination Imagination has the potential to bridge the gap between what is taught in our schools and the thinking skills our youth will need to succeed in the world of the future.”
Destination Imagination, Inc. dedicates itself to enriching the global community by providing opportunities for learners of all ages to explore and discover using the creative process from imagination to innovation.