|
Welcome to the 2009-2010 Destination ImagiNation Season!
Welcome all teams, team managers, program contacts, coordinators, officials, and volunteers to a new and exhilarating year of DI! We are excited about this season's new challenges, new faces, new opportunities to grow and be challenged! We are especially looking forward to seeing you all at our DI events and tournaments!
|
|
|
Building Tomorrow's Leaders:
One Challenge at a Time
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, we reach 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Destination ImagiNation, our core program, is an exhilarating after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. Teams are tested to think on their feet, work together, and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the Challenges. Participants gain more than just basic knowledge and skills—they learn to unleash their imaginations and take unique approaches to problem solving. Our ultimate goal is to teach participants that through their creativity, teamwork and perseverance, they can develop creative solutions to complex problems completely on their own! To read more about Destination ImagiNation, click here.
Who can join? Anyone! Your school, PTA, gifted program, Community Ed or after school program, homeschool group, YMCA or YWCA, Scouting programs, 4H, community organization, your family - anyone up for a challenge and fun!
Check out the FAQS!
|
|
|
 
Take a quick look at the 2009-2010 Challenges!
How can your kids, your classroom, your club, your home school, your college pals join the fun? It's easy! Just Start A Team! It's easy to do - go to www.idodi.org and hit Start A Team! There are three ways to do it: online, by paper, and by phone at 856-881-1603, ext. 16. DI Team Challenges and program materials are released annually on September 1. A typical season runs anywhere from six to 12 weeks, with most teams organizing between October and January. Team and Team Manager training is offered in each region beginning in October. Appraiser trainings are held in January and February, and regional tournaments are held around the state in February and March. For all the details of how DI works and who is involved from team member to Team Manager, read the DI Program Guide. Go Start A Team!!
|
|
|
Heads Up!
What do you have in common with Zac Efron? He's a DI'er, too! Read all about it in the August, 2007 issue of Rolling Stone! Learn more about his improv experience in the San Luis Obispo Tribune story on his 2002 Global Finals team.
  
MN DI Minnetoada Monthly Newsletter
|
|
|
2009-2010 Trainings and Workshops
New Improv Workshop and Pizza Jams Announced!  12/22
The Brave New Institute is pleased to offer an Improv Skills Challenge Workshop for ALL DI'ers on Saturday, January 16. Two identical sessions in the morning and afternoon are available. Cost is $25 per participant, and each session has a maximum of 35 participants.
Can’t make it to the Improv Skills Challenge Workshop? No worries - the BNI is offering two Pizza Jams for ages 9-17 on Saturday, January 30, 2010 and February 20, 2010.
Check here for more details! Please note that the time has changed – Pizza Jams will be from 12-4 pm!
Get the best tips and techniques for answering every aspect of your Team and Instant Challenge with MN DI's regional and Metro trainings! The training and workshop schedule and Registration Form are here.
|
|
|
MN DI 2009-2010 DIrectory 12/22
Contact Regional Directors, State Challenge Masters, and MN DI Staff via phone or email by referring to our DIrectory.
|
|
|
MN DI Tournament Assignments and Fees
See this table for your regional tournament assignment and fees. Please note that some school districts have been assigned to different regions this season!
|
|
|
MN DI 2009-2010 Tournaments
Please see Regional pages, below, for more information about specific tournaments. Once regional registrations have been received, we will post general schedules for each tournament on its regional page (early February).
|
TOURNAMENT
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
| Moorhead |
Feb. 27 |
Horizon Middle School, Moorhead |
West Metro*/
Southwest Metro*
|
Feb 27
|
Maple Grove Senior High School, Maple Grove
|
|
* Scored separately; for Intermediate District 287 member district teams only
|
|
East Metro
|
March 6
|
Harding Senior High School, St. Paul
|
|
Duluth
|
March 6
|
Duluth Central High School, Duluth
|
|
Glencoe-Silver Lake
|
March 6
|
Glencoe-Silver Lake HS, Glencoe
|
|
North Metro
|
March 13
|
Blaine High School, Blaine
|
|
Winona
|
March 20
|
Winona Middle School, Winona
|
|
State Tournament
|
April 17
|
Anoka High School, Anoka
|
|
Global Finals
|
May 26-29
|
University of TN, Knoxville, TN
|
Please note that we never plan to cancel tournaments due to poor weather, as we are unable to reschedule them. In the case of really inclement weather, please check Pamela Schroeder's voice mail message at 763-550-7212 by 5:00 a.m. on your tournament day. Safety first! Use your own judgment as to your ability to travel safely. If you are unable to attend a tournament due to weather conditions, we will review the possibility of rescheduling you at a later tournament on a case by case basis.
|
|
|
2010 Regional Tournament Registration Form 12/14
Register for your Regional Tournament here. Fees for Regional tournaments are listed in the Tournament Assignments and Fees bullet above. Make sure to print a copy for your records BEFORE you submit the form!
|
|
|
Regional Information
Regional Web Pages can be found here! Check these pages for details on regional training, tournaments, and directions. You can also reference www.SchoolDirections.com for more detailed maps and directions. Full descriptions and registration forms for trainings can be found in the 2009-2010 Trainings bullet, above.
|
|
|
MN DI State Tournament
The MN DI State Tournament will be held at Anoka High School on April 17, 2010. We will be hosting a bigger and better-than-ever event, with teams from around the state presenting their Regional Tournament winning performances, impressive displays from our projectOUTREACH teams, and more! Check here for more details as the season progresses! The State Tournament registration form will be on the website in February.
|
|
|
MN Destination ImagiNation Certificates!
Our colorful interactive Certificates of Appreciation, Participation and Outstanding Team Manager will be available to download and customize soon. A terrific way to thank those special folks who do DI!
|
|
|
DI 101: Growing Your DI Program
How do successful programs recruit team members?
How is team spirit and excitement kept alive during the tournament
season?
How do you promote recognition of team accomplishments?
How do you end the season on a high note and keep teams involved year
after year?
Check out our guide to downloadable activities and resources,
contributed by dozens of Minnesota DI Program Coordinators, Contacts,
and Team Managers. Activities are organized via timeline and can be
implemented at any level and within any organization. Discover how you
can make your DI program "Kid Powered - Team Driven!"
|
|
|
Managing your DI Program using our Coordinator Tools to navigate your season from start-up to tournament. Updated monthly! 12/08
|
|
|
Employee Volunteer Programs Benefit MN Destination
ImagiNation
3M, State Farm, Cargill, Best Buy, American Express, Xcel Energy and Microsoft are among corporations that offer
donation programs
to employees/retirees who volunteer for non-profit programs. DI Team
Managers, Appraisers, Program
Coordinators, and Tournament Volunteers verify hours of service and MN
DI receives fiscal support.
Check with your company or
contact MN DI Director Pamela Schroeder at 763-550-7212 or pfschroeder@district287.org.
|
|
|
MN DI is Proud to Partner With These Institutions!
Dudley Riggs Brave New Theater's Brave New School of Improvisation
Leapfrog Institutes at the University of Minnesota
|
|
|
Support MN DI's Corporate Supporters
Corporations value the skills that Destination ImagiNation fosters.
MN
DI thanks...
for their support!
|
|
|
|
|
Calling Appraisers!
Looking to make new friends? Are you missing DI since your team graduated? Want to connect with the program as an Alumni? Join the DI appraising family and see the most creative learners in the state as they demonstrate their Challenge solutions at our tournaments! All it takes is our one day training on January 23, 2010 in Plymouth, and you can be part of the fun. Put the PRAISE in appraising – the registration form is here.
|
|
|
Join DImail, MN DI's
Email List for Team Managers, Passport Contacts, and District
Coordinators:
DImail, a post-only list, brings you breaking news, tips,
opportunities, and reminders. It's your MN DI support system. To
subscribe, simply send an email to pfschroeder@district287.org.
|
|
|
|
Stay in touch! |
     |
| Follow DI.... via Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn!
|
|
|
|
What's New?
Attention DI teams: Become stars of the Start a Team Reality Show contest by documenting your journey all the way to a Tournament! DI wants the world to Start a Team, and who better to tell everyone what makes DI special than our teams? Submit a 100-word essay along with a 30-second video telling us why YOUR team should be selected. Six winning teams will be given video cameras and a production schedule to document the journey from
forming a team all the way to participating in a Tournament! There is a $1,000 scholarship grand prize and a DI Reality TV deal! Deadline is October 31!
See details at www.ShopDI.org.
.......................................................................
DI has partnered with Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) to bring you the Creative Spark Challenge. The Creative Spark Challenge seeks young entrepreneurs who want to create the next great interactive game that teaches creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Participants will design a prototype game, assign a price point, solicit sponsors, and create up to a 30-second commercial to be posted on YouTube. A public voting forum will determine the winner. A spokesperson from the winning team will receive an all-expense-paid trip to DI's Global Finals to present the team’s product to 16,000 students and supporters. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will then develop the product and offer it for sale from its website.
Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009 will be November 16-22. Visit www.ShopDI.org to learn more about the Creative Spark Challenge and complete the full registration process. Deadline for entries is November 22, 2009. Submissions will be reviewed and the top five games selected by GEW and DI will be presented for final voting to the public on December 1-7, 2009. The winning game will be announced on December 9th, 2009. You can learn more about GEW at www.unleashingideas.org.
.......................................................................
There are new Intro to DI videos, PSA's, PowerPoint, and White Paper online at www.idodi.org!
.......................................................................
|
|
|
Clarifications!
Check this site frequently! Challenge Clarifications are already posted, and will continue to be until Feburary 15, 2010! You will need to continue checking through that date!
|
|
|
Construction Challenge is Challenge A!
The construction industry is looking for a few good workers to help fill more than 1 million jobs by the year 2012. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Construction Challenge, a career-education initiative, teaches students about engineering, design process, cost/benefit analysis, technical design and construction, as well as career paths in the construction industry.
 AEM Construction Challenge is proud to sponsor Challenge A, DIrect DIposit, DI’s Technical Challenge, for the 2009-2010 season. The sponsorship will give more students access to the Construction Challenge experience. DIrect DIposit focuses on solving a construction site delivery complication. Participants in Construction Challenge will put their engineering, design, and building skills to the ultimate test while developing workable solutions to infrastructure and on-the-job issues.
For more information and a peek at last year's Construction Challenge, go to http://www.constructionchallenge.org/.
|
|
|
projectOUTREACH®
projectOUTREACH® is a Destination ImagiNation Team Challenge designed to engage students in community activism. In projectOUTREACH, teams are invited to address real community issues through personal expression.
Band Together!, the 2009-10 projectOUTREACH Challenge, is inspired by MAE, an indie-rock band from Norfolk, Virginia. This year, rather than release a full-length album, MAE is releasing a new song every month on their website. Fans can download each song for a minimum donation of a dollar, and all of the proceeds go to a charity of MAE's choosing. So far, MAE has fully funded a family's home through Habitat for Humanity, and they've also raised thousands of dollars for additional charities. MAE is changing the world with their music!
Teams participating in projectOUTREACH will take MAE's lead and use music to address real issues in their communities. Each team can select any specific issue in their local community, and then they will use music as a tool to address that issue. As their community projects evolve, teams are invited to engage others in their community to promote their cause. Teams will then present their community projects at DI Tournaments. Get a team together, and change your world.
|
|
|
From Team-Paks to team training to terrific DI goodies, ShopDI delivers creativity to your doorstep!
|
|
|
By DI-sign is a great resource written specifically to address the needs of Team Managers. Each issue contains Instant Challenges, Mini Challenges, team building exercises, and focused articles to help guide DI teams through the process of creative problem solving and building a successful team. By DI-sign subscribers are also eligible for exclusive ShopDI promotions, first dibs notice on new resources and prize offerings. You can order your 2010 subscription at www.ShopDI.org.
|
|
|
Books Available for Purchase
Jump start your creativity with these great resources!
|
|
|
Earn College Credit as a DI Appraiser or Team Manager
The University of Minnesota - Duluth is offering the opportunity to earn .5 credit through your involvement as a DI Appraiser and 1 credit as a Team Manager. Contact Duluth Regional Director Mary Ann Rotondi for specifics.
|
|
|
Global Finals 2010!
Details about Global Finals 2010 are coming soon! Join the party May 26-29, 2010! The countdown is on!
|
|
|
Awards and Scholarships
DIstinguished Leader Award, for ExtraorDInary High School Seniors!
The MN DI DIstinguished Leader Award honors the truly committed individual who has contributed to DI in an exemplary manner throughout his or her high school career. This is a self-nominated award, and graduating seniors who successfully complete the requirements will receive recognition and an award at the State Tournament. The Award recognizes exceptional accomplishment, dedication, innovation, leadership and performance in service of MN DI’s program over the course of their four high school years. The details are here!
2009 DIstinguished Leaders are Nicholas Baker, Zachary Baker, Aaron Bartnik, and Brian Stroinksi. Congratulations to these exceptional young men who earned their awards as high school sophomores!
.......................................................................
MudDI Waters Scholarship for Seniors
The MudDI Waters is a consortium of 10 Affiliates who work together to promote DI. Members include Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. MudDI Waters pools resources to offer three scholarships annually to graduating DI’ers. The deadline for 2010 scholarships is February 1, 2010. See the application here.
Congratulations to 2009 Scholarship winner Megan Kinneberg from Wayzata!
.......................................................................
Destination ImagiNation Support Committee Scholarships
DISC supports the goals of Destination ImagiNation and its participants through scholarships and community building activities, offering $10,000 in scholarships annually. Details of this year's scholarship tracks and deadlines will be posted at www.idodi.org/disc.
Our heartiest and proudest congratulations to Megan Kinneberg from Wayzata who won 2009 scholarships in each of the three DISC categories – Internet, Essay and Presentation!
|
|
|
Great Links! 12/08
Check out the awesome DI Wiki for all sorts of team resources, team videos, challenge history, and more terrific sites! Visit these websites for more practice instant challenges, creativity resources and machine how-to's.
|
|
