What is Interference?

Destination Imagination has a “No Interference” policy.

All of the team’s solutions must be designed and created by team members only. That means no Team Managers, parents, or any other non-team members may contribute to a team’s solution in any way.

Sure, there will probably be a moment or two (or more) during a team meeting when you think, “that’s not gonna work.” Our kids are bound to have some ‘failing’ moments. Failure is good. Think about a time you once failed at something and what you learned from it. Resilience? Problem-solving? Courage? Failure is a crucial step on the path to learning—so let’s remember to let failure happen and to embrace it, not fear it.

Here are some of the things your team members must work on together without any interference:

• Choosing their Team Challenge

• Generating ideas

• Making decisions

• Researching

• Managing their project timeline

• Designing and building their solution

• Managing their budget

• Solving conflicts

As a Team Manager or parent, you may teach your team members skills needed and identified by the team, guide them through the creative process, answer clarifying questions about the Challenge they have chosen, determine safety rules, and help them to understand project management. However, you may not offer ideas contributing directly to the solution in any way.

The Interference Triangle is a useful tool to help you remember what Interference is and what Team Managers and other people are allowed to do to help the team. Team Managers, parents, and other non-team members may only enter the purple areas below.

But what if 3rd graders need to use a power tool to cut wood?

YES, they have to do it themselves. You can show them how to safely use a tool, and you can stand there with your hand ready to pull the plug or with your hand above theirs, ready to pull it out of harm's way, but they have to do it themselves. If you, as their Team Manager, decide the team isn’t ready for power tools, then the team will need to find another way to solve the Challenge.

Click here for a pdf version of this page you can share with parents and others who need to understand about interference.