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Inspire a Growth-Mindset in Oregon's next generation of innovators and leaders
Today’s Oregon 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 collaboration, creativity, flexibility, and resilience as they embark upon careers that do not exist today. At Destination Imagination (DI), we believe that fun, hands-on educational experiences are key to engaging young learners and empowering them to succeed.
Each year, more than 150,000 students across the U.S. and in 30 countries participate in the Destination Imagination Challenge Experience. Rooted in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) concepts, DI Challenges are developed annually with the help of educators, subject matter experts, and qualified volunteers who ensure that our materials cover a wide range of student interests and align to current educational standards.
For example, teams may be asked to engineer a vehicle that can navigate a maze, design and build an amusement park attraction, or improvise a story about a missing cultural artifact. Through the Challenge Experience, participants gain confidence in vital 21st century skills such as creative and critical thinking, team building, and project management, as well as social-emotional learning competencies that position them to better integrate these skills both in the classroom and at home. Destination Imagination applies a unique pedagogy to bring the Challenge Experience to life.
It is our learner-focused methodology that empowers students to take the lead and provides a framework within which they can take risks and learn from failure. DI participants become lifelong problem solvers who are inspired to innovate creative solutions to real-world challenges quickly and collaboratively.
DI is a powerful educational tool
DI has been studied and proven to equip the next generation. As a cross-disciplinary project-based learning resource, DI was created and has been validated by educators and content experts.
Researchers from the University of Virginia Curry School of Education conducted an independent research evaluation of the DI program. The evaluation focused on the program’s effectiveness, impact, and participant satisfaction in areas relating to creative problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership. Among other findings, the researchers reported, “Students who participated in the activities and tournaments provided by DI outperformed comparable students who had not participated in DI on assessments measuring creative thinking, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.”
The best part is, students, love it! DI has been operating for decades and has more than 1 million alumni worldwide.
DI is committed to providing new and exciting experiences that help teachers connect what students are already learning to the real world, bridging the gap between school and future careers. To find out more about how you can provide your students with this life-enriching opportunity, contact us at the button below!