MaDI
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MaDI
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is DI?
Destination Imagination (DI) is a project-based learning program designed to complement K-12 and college/university education by building students’ critical thinking, creative problem solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. Annually, DI offers Team Challenges in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), fine arts, service learning, and early learning. By selecting and solving a DI Challenge, students collaborate, explore their passions, discover their unique abilities, and learn new skills. All registered student teams have the opportunity to showcase their Challenge solutions at local competitions and may advance to Affiliate (statewide) and global competitions. It is arguably the best thing next to sliced bread!
But don't listen to us...check out this video from participants, alumni and volunteers from around the world!
How does DI work?
Students in grades k-college work together in teams from 2 to 7 members to solve a long-term theme-based Challenges and practice Instant Challenges. DI is student-driven which means no one who outside of the team can contribute to their solution. The role of the Team Manager(s) is to supervise, provide resources and teach skills, such as teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The Team Members generate the ideas, execute the ideas, and plan a performance showcasing their ideas that they present at tournament.
DI has three main types of programs depending on how your team wants to work. The main program is the Challenge Experience but there are other options for online teams and teams that don't have as much time to commit. Check out the options here.
When is the DI season and what is the time commitment for the Challenge Experience?
The DI season begins September 1st, with the release of that season’s Challenges, and ends with the Affiliate Tournament in the spring. Most Team Managers start in October or November, but some teams don’t begin until January.
On average teams meetsonce a week for 1.5 - 2 hours. As the tournament approaches, most teams add additional practice time generally starting around February vacation. The time requirement can vary by age, the challenge the team chooses, and the competitive ambitions of the team members themselves. Some teams are happy just having a solution while others strive for perfection!
Depending on the year, often MADI hosts two or more Regional Tournaments in early to mid March and the team who advance will move on to the State Tournament in at the end of March. The teams who advance from the State tournament and qualify may choose to attend Global Finals that takes place in May.
What are the long-term Challenge Experience themes?
Each year the Destination Imagination write new challenges in each of these areas! Teams will choose one of these to solve during the season. A summary of this year's challenges can be found here.- Technical
- Scientific
- Fine Arts
- Improvisational
- Engineering
- Service Learning
- Early Learning (Rising Stars), our non-competitive early learning Challenge for students in K-2
Each team, in addition to presenting their long-term team challenge, will also participate in an Instant Challenge at tournament. The team knows nothing about the challenge before they enter the Instant Challenge room and will utilize various Instant Challenge skills they have practiced throughout the season to solve the challenge under 10 minutes!- Instant Challenge
What is the cost to participate in MADI?
Challenge Experience -Estimated Cost Breakdown
Team Number/Materials - $169
Visit www.destinationimagination.org or click here to go directly to purchase a team number
MADI Registration Fee (including trainings and support) - $169
Team Manager Background Check - $25
Click Here to purchase your Background Check (no charge for teachers and other public school staff who have a background check done)
Average Cost of Supplies - $150
(can be lower or higher depending on the challenge
DI encourages students to use recycle and trash materials as much as possible)
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Total Cost $513 for per TEAM
(Team t-shirt, state tournament and Global Final costs not included)
Per student cost for a team of 7 - $73.29
Per student cost for a team of 6 - $85.50
Per student cost for a team of 5 - $102.60
Per student cost for a team of 4 - $128.25
How can my child participate?
DI is run locally within communities and it looks different across the state. Often, schools will run the program through their after school offerings but more recently, communities and parents have decided to take the program over themselves and run DI independent of the limitations of many school districts. Anyone who is interested in facilitating a team may serve as a Team Manager once they have passed a background check. If DI isn't offered in your child's school, the best option is to ask your student's friends if they may be interested in forming a team and talk to their parents to see if you can get a couple to serve as the team's co-Team Managers. MADI provides training opportunities and materials for new Team Managers and on going support to help you and your team succeed!So the best way to ensure your student can particiapte is to become a Team Manager...Is DI a good fit for my child?
DI transforms lives for so many students and for each of them the reason is unique!Some DI kids are naturally inquisitive and other are very quiet and shy. Some students are drawn to the performance element while others like the tinkering and engineering components required. The best thing about DI is there is a role for everyone within a team and the key is a team's success is team-work; it's very similar to what our students will experience once they enter the workforce and why Destination Imagination on a college application and a resume are so impactful.Key take aways from DI:- teams have time to work on their solution; time to fail, revisit their plan and redesign their approach
- the confidence students develop is amazing
- team-building and creative problem-solving skills are essential in today's workforce
- students form life-long friendships
Take a minute to watch this video...Why parents choose DIWhat are the proven results of participating in DI?
In 2014, Dr. Mark A. Runco, Professor of Educational Psychology for the Torrance Creativity Center at the University of Georgia and Board Member for the Center for Childhood Creativity, completed a study measuring student engagement and creative attitudes and values among students who participate in Destination Imagination and students who do not.
According to the statistically significant results, Destination Imagination students were found to be:
- More engaged and imaginative when completing given tasks
- More creative than non-DI participants
- More self-confident and tenacious
- Able to elaborate on and generate more ideas than non-DI participants
- Great collaborators—86% of DI students agree that their teamwork skills improved within 1-2 years of participation
- More inquisitive—92% of DI students agree that solutions to problems are often improved by considering a variety of perspectives
Is there an example of what a team challenge and their process?
While the team challenges are different each year, this video gives a great overview of the process this middle level team went through to create their solution and bring it all the way to Global Finals. Keep in mind that each team will solve the challenge in their own way, some more advanced than others, and that's OK! In DI the journey is as critical as the final result.Do you offer training for Team Managers?
YES!- MADI offers training for both new and experienced team managers in the fall and for the last few years that training has been virtual. Depending on the status of COVID we may opt for in-person training.
- We also host a monthly "Support Squad" meetings virtually to answer any questions and to share information with each other.
- We also offer email support and personal virtual support as needed.
There is no cost for these trainings and support features as they are included in your MADI registration fee.What do MADI Alumi have to say about DI?
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