…
Destination Imagination is a global educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers, leaders and innovators.
Today’s students will enter the workforce during a dynamic period in the global economy as advancements in science and technology disrupt nearly every industry. These future leaders will need to embody 21st century skills like creativity, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. At Destination Imagination, we design affordable project-based learning experiences that focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and help students acquire the 21st century skills needed to thrive in school, careers and beyond.
More than 77,000 students worldwide participate in Destination Imagination programs. With your support, we can inspire and empower even more students across the globe who will help build a brighter future through teamwork, creativity and innovation.
2019 STATS
Thanks to our passionate, global network of volunteers, thousands of students from the U.S. and 30-plus countries had the opportunity to participate in the 2018-19 Destination Imagination Challenge Experience.
47 US STATES
23 staff members
31 countries
35,000 volunteers
14,062 Teams
77,000+Participants
2018-2019 Team Counts by Country
TEAM CHALLENGES
Each season, DI teams have the opportunity to solve one of our seven Team Challenges. Our Team Challenges are written by groups of experts, ranging from educators to engineers to artists. New Challenges are developed every season.
Technical Challenge
Teams were tasked with designing and building an aircraft that could take off, fly and land. They also had to design the aircraft to deliver a team-created payload.
Scientific Challenge
Teams had to research the human body and medical conditions and then create and present a story about a medical mystery that affects a human character. Teams also had to design and build a device that used Technical Methods to show the medical mystery and at least one symptom.
Fine Arts Challenge
Teams created an original story about a real game and included a team-created game gizmo that used Technical Methods to cause an action or event to occur during their Presentation.
Improvisational Challenge
At their DI tournament, teams created an on-the-spot skit that included historical figures in their tales. They also had to present the skit in two parts, changing between comedy and tragedy, as well as present their skit in two styles, changing from verbal to nonverbal.
Engineering Challenge
Teams were tasked with designing and building a structure that could support weight without breaking. They also created and presented an original story that included a team-created special effect.
Service Learning Challenge
Teams addressed a real community need and presented the impact of their project through an original team-created story based on characters who attempt an escape.
Early Learning Challenge
Our younger teams (preschool through 2nd grade) created and presented an original play that combined elements of both fiction and nonfiction. They also built and included a technical device and interactive, life-size pop-up book to help tell their story.
GLOBAL FINALS
More than 17,000 students, parents and volunteers gathered in Kansas City, Missouri for Global Finals—the world’s largest celebration of creativity.
Global Finals Celebrates 20 Years & Gets a New Home
After nearly 20 years of hosting Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee, Destination Imagination moved its international competition to Kansas City, Missouri. Moving the event allowed for our organization to better accommodate our 17,000 attendees who travel from 15-plus countries, to include a new prop room experience where teams could work on and display their Challenge solutions, and to host all of our Challenge Presentations under one roof.
Chris Colfer Receives DI Icon Award
At Global Finals 2019, Destination Imagination welcomed best-selling author, actor, singer and DI alumnus Chris Colfer, who received the first-ever DI Icon Award. The award is given to a DI alumnus or alumna who has made a game-changing contribution to their industry and who inspires current DI participants to achieve anything they can in life.
Teams Showcase Solutions in New Prop Storage Experience
Global Finals 2019 teams were provided with their own booth space in our new Prop Storage area, which was located in the Kansas City Convention Center and spanned nearly eight football fields! The space included several prop garages for teams to work on their solutions and allowed for them to display their work and meet other teams from around the world.
OUR SPONSORS
Through the generosity of our sponsors, we’re able to help fulfill our mission in teaching students skills such as creative and critical thinking, complex problem solving and decision making, which are essential to our students’ success in future careers and beyond.
DI Establishes Financial Assistance Fund for Teams
In 2019, Destination Imagination created the Global Finals Financial Assistance Fund to help offset event costs for teams that qualified for Global Finals 2019 and required financial assistance to attend. Thanks to our sponsors and individual donors, Destination Imagination was able to provide $131,350 in financial assistance to 301 Destination Imagination teams.
Motorola Grant Helps DI Expand Program in Underserved Communities
Thanks to a generous $50,000 grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation, Destination Imagination was able to enhance STEAM and 21st-century skills initiatives for students who reside in underserved communities in the U.S. The grant allowed us to provide Challenge materials, teacher stipends and transportation grants to a total of 46 DI teams in Title I schools and organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA of Metro Chicago.
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Our organization could not do what we do without the support of our nearly 40,000 volunteers worldwide. Thank you to all of our volunteers for your unwavering support and countless hours of work to make Destination Imagination happen for students around the world.
