Two teams of Island students are on their way to compete at the global Destination Imagination finals in Tennessee, says Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie.
“Destination Imagination encourages creativity and innovation in Island students, and it’s great to see our intermediate students rising to the challenge and demonstrating courage and curiosity,” said Minister Currie. “I had a chance to meet with the team from Stonepark, who are supported by Mrs. Rajamanie, and I was blown away by their quick, critical, and creative thinking.”
With Destination Imagination, students form teams and take on challenges that focus on STEAM skills - science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, as well as service learning. The teams are supported by teachers, who have received professional development in Destination Imagination. Participation is usually extra-curricular, but the challenges are also sometimes integrated into class time, as they often reflect the provincial curriculum.
Each May, more than 1,400 of the top-scoring Destination Imagination teams from 45 U.S. states and 14 countries gather in Knoxville, Tennessee to showcase their innovative challenge solutions. More than 17,000 people attend the event each year. The festivities include the Destination Imagination Tournament, interactive exhibits, skills workshops, local adventures and more.
A total of 75 Island students competed in the first annual provincial Destination Imagination provincial tournament earlier this year. Teams from Gulf Shore Consolidated and Stonepark Intermediate were selected to compete in the finals, taking place May 25-28th.
The five member team from Stonepark is competing in the structural challenge, which asks them to design and build a structure that acts as a musical instrument that can support weight. Part of the challenge is to test the structure, while at the same time integrating a story and music in their presentation.
The two member team from Gulf Shore Consolidated are competing in the improv challenge, where teams receive topics and produce skits right on the spot. They use quick thinking, wit, humour and problem-solving to pull off a four-minute improvisational performance.
“Our Island students will be competing on the world stage, and I know they will do a great job and make us proud,” said Minister Currie. “I wish both our teams the best of luck, and I am looking forward to updates from Tennessee throughout the competition.”
Islanders can follow along, as the Global Finals are streamed live starting May 25th at http://www.globalfinals.org/watch-global-finals-2016-live-ditv/