Destination ImagiNation: Getting Started with Creating and Collaborating as a High Schooler
Participating in project-based, team building hackathons and competitions can be one of the most creative yet rewarding experiences. Destination ImagiNation (DI) is among the leading global programs out there that “inspires and equips youth to become innovative problem solvers” for high school students.
In this blog post, we are covering everything you need to know about the Destination ImagiNation program, including how to get started as a high schooler, about the flagship STEAM program (for high school students), planning your project and resources to shine in this program.
https://www.destinationimagination.org/
What is Destination ImagiNation?
While there are many science competitions for high schoolers, Destination ImagiNation is a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program. This program fosters various life vital and career skills such as creative thinking, critical thinking, public speaking and collaborative problem-solving. While traditional education overlooks how to approach new real-world challenges and ask better questions, Destination ImagiNation focuses on equipping young people to imagine and innovate today through their creative process to become the leaders of tomorrow. Read on to find out more:
Why Destination ImagiNation?
Destination ImagiNation empowers their participants to become life-long learners, adventurers and explorers. It gives them the confidence to take on challenges by teaching the “creative process” – a step-by-step approach that helps students to better understand problems, come up with solutions, learn from failure and celebrate their achievements.
What is a STEAM program?
Like a STEM program, a STEAM program is one that includes the arts – focusing on combining technical and creative knowledge to help spark imagination and creativity in ways that align with STEAM learning.
Types of Destination ImagiNation Challenges
The Destination ImagiNation program offers six types of challenges, while three are relevant to high-school students – the challenge experience, the digital open and young innovators exchange. Each challenge has a unique focus that allows students to personalise their experience. While these challenges are prompts or guidelines on what a team creates, their challenges are open-ended, allowing teams to express themselves creatively and take full ownership of their solutions.
How you can get started
To get started, there are five steps. Firstly, students need to register a team of 2 to 7 members on the website and select a challenge to solve. Then they need to select their age group (secondary level for high schoolers) and request a team challenge pack. They then need to choose a challenge with their team. Finally, they need to attend a one-day tournament event and give a challenge presentation.
Applying and fees
The registration fee varies depending upon the region and early registration is recommended as space is limited.
About the Flagship STEAM program
Destination ImagiNation’s flagship STEAM program is the world’s premier creative competition. The most popular out of the challenges for high schoolers, it provides an excellent opportunity for teams to develop solutions to project-based STEAM challenges and then present their solutions live at tournaments.
Where is it available?
Destination ImagiNation is available in 48 states in the US and in 30 countries.
Planning your project
Planning is an essential stage in developing your team project. It is important to create a timeline, assign tasks and set deadlines to ensure everyone is on the same page. Make sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.
Resources
Here are some resources that will help you stand out in the program – Destination ImagiNation Blog, What’s the Big Idea Podcast, free webinars and free team activities.
How to excel
In addition to the resources above, you should read the guidelines carefully, brainstorm, practice, be confident and make your presentation interactive and most importantly, enjoy the experience!
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
