Destination Imagination (DI) is a non-profit, volunteer-led, cause-driven organization. Our purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Annually, we offer seven new standards-based Challenges in STEM, Improv, Visual Arts, Service Learning, and Early Learning. Each Challenge is open-ended and enables student teams to learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation. Academic tournaments take place where teams have the opportunity to present their solutions to trained appraisers. Students have fun and gain confidence in their ability to solve any challenge. In working to solve our Challenges, teams learn 21st century skills (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, citizenship and courage) to build on their unique strengths.

We have TWO DI PROGRAMS at Romona:

1. Rising Stars! Program
* Grades K-2, 2-7 kids per grade-based team
* (2) Team Managers (parent volunteers) per team, who helps the team keep on track, but do not assist or interfere with the team’s project. Team Managers attend a short training session before the season begins.
* Teams begin meeting 1x a week mid-November (date/location TBD by Team Managers), as needed, until the Regional Tournament on March 3rd near Gurnee.
* Through the Challenge, kids have the opportunity to be creative, learn simple building and construction, become comfortable working in teams, and learn how to speak in front of an audience. The Challenge is noncompetitive, which helps ease pressure and lets kids play and experiment with their solutions. Team will present at the Regional Tournament in a non-compete situation.
* Cost $50 per child for entire season–please make checks out to Meghan Mills

2. Challenge Program
* Grades 3 on up, 2-7 kids per grade-based team
* (2) Team Managers (parent volunteers) per team, who helps the team keep on track, but do not assist or interfere with the team’s project. Team Managers attend a short training session before the season begins.
* Teams begin meeting 1x a week mid-November (date/location TBD by Team Managers), as needed, to work on the Challenge they have chosen, until the Regional Tournament on March 3rd near Gurnee.
* Cost $50 per child for entire season–please make checks out to Meghan Mills

Each Challenge is designed to engage students to learn 21st century and higher-order thinking skills by teaching them the creative process from imagination to innovation. The program teaches students how to think, not what to think. Students that solve the Challenges have fun and learn the skills of creativity, critical thinking, self-confidence, self-determination, presentation and collaboration. We want to enable students to identify, build on, and celebrate their unique strengths.

DI is NOT under the auspices of the Romona PTA. If you are interested in having your child(ren) participate in Destination Imagination, and/or, if you would like to be a part of the Romona Destination Imagination experience, registration begins at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year! Please contact Meghan Mills at desimagination@romonapta.org with any questions! It will be an incredible experience!