There is going to be an innovation summit held in Chicago. Destination ImagiNation of Illinois will be taking part in the summit activities. For more information about the summit go to http://www.innovatenow.us to check it out. The DI logo will soon be added to website.
Illinois Destination ImagiNation sponsored one of the "Science in the City" events this year. "Science in the City" is sponsored by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools. DI Illinois held a DI Extreme competition and Instant Challenge Showcase at the Museum of Science and Industry earlier this month. If you are interested in holding an event featuring DI EXTREME materials contact me for more information.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Creativity Statement
When people ask you what Destination ImagiNation is, tell them that it is a community based organization run by volunteers that teaches teamwork, creativity and problem solving to teams of school aged kids.
Use this creativity statement to help parents and friends understand the HANDS-OFF policy we practice.
Proud Northern Team!
This picture was on the front cover of our Tournament Program Guide. Do you know these folks? I never did get their names written down.
Registration is now available online!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
DI Support Forums
I wanted to make you all aware that you can ask questions and generally join the conversation concerning teams, management, and other issues by going to the DI Support Forums. You can enter the forums by going to www.disupport.org. Check out the conversation! There are also people willing to help answer questions about the program on the dini list which is an egroup on yahoogroups. Please let me know if you have any questions about either of these resources. Contact me through commenting on this blog or by sending me an email at jennitajoy@hotmail.com
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
I Need Some Feedback
I am planning on holding the Northern Regional Team Manager Training on November 10th at my home in Bourbon. Please send me an email at jennitajoy@hotmail.com if you have any questions or comments. I will contact the coordinators that have already registered memberships and those who have told me a membership will be purchased shortly. Please pass the word on to anyone that you think might be interested in attending.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Sad News
I am sorry to have to tell you that Margo Bedwell, the long time coordinator of Destination ImagiNation teams at the Eastern School Corporation in Green Town died last week of complications from a serious infection. The DI teams at Eastern are dedicating their season to Mrs. Bedwell. You may read more information at the Kokomo Tribune website. Please stop and take a little time today to remember the folks in Green Town who are experiencing such a profound loss.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Team Manager 101
There is a lot of information for new team managers in the materials that come along with the challenges. If you don't have the Team Manager's Guide, Parent's Guide, or Instant Challenge Set ask your coordinator for a copy. The Team Manager's Guide will guide you step by step through the process of facilitating your team. Experienced Team Managers will find some changes this year in the way the Challenges are written. The side bars will help by listing special definitions for words in the challenge and also ask questions of the team that are important in the development of their solution.
Remember the triangle of interference. Page 14 of the Rules of the Road has a picture of the Triangle of Interference. At the base of the triangle you will find SKILLS + THE CHALLENGE + RULES. You, as a team manager, can help the team understand the challenge requirements and the rules involved in solving it. The remainder of the base is labeled SKILLS. This means that the team manager can teach the team HOW to do things. You can teach the team to sew, or how to look up information, or how to use a tool. That is part of your job as facilitator. BUT....the top of the triangle is THE SOLUTION. The team OWNS the solution. Every part, including ideas, may ONLY come from the team members. They will have to sign a document to that effect that will be turned into the appraisers at the tournament. Please don't be tempted to "help" them with their solution. You will see ways that they can do something easier. Put your hand over your mouth and repeat inside your head, "It is THEIR solution." Kids learn MUCH more going through the process of problem solving than they would learn from you telling them what to do. They can do it. It won't look like what you would do. It won't look like any other team's solution. Why? Because it is theirs! Please email me or comment to this blog if you have any questions about interference.
DO....help them understand the challenge and rules
DO....teach them the problem solving skills they need
DO....teach them any other skills they want to learn to better solve the challenge
DO NOT....give them ideas
DO NOT....critique their solution
DO NOT....allow parents or other experts to give assistance in any way
The Parent's Guide is also a good tool to let parents know what is and is not acceptible.
Remember the triangle of interference. Page 14 of the Rules of the Road has a picture of the Triangle of Interference. At the base of the triangle you will find SKILLS + THE CHALLENGE + RULES. You, as a team manager, can help the team understand the challenge requirements and the rules involved in solving it. The remainder of the base is labeled SKILLS. This means that the team manager can teach the team HOW to do things. You can teach the team to sew, or how to look up information, or how to use a tool. That is part of your job as facilitator. BUT....the top of the triangle is THE SOLUTION. The team OWNS the solution. Every part, including ideas, may ONLY come from the team members. They will have to sign a document to that effect that will be turned into the appraisers at the tournament. Please don't be tempted to "help" them with their solution. You will see ways that they can do something easier. Put your hand over your mouth and repeat inside your head, "It is THEIR solution." Kids learn MUCH more going through the process of problem solving than they would learn from you telling them what to do. They can do it. It won't look like what you would do. It won't look like any other team's solution. Why? Because it is theirs! Please email me or comment to this blog if you have any questions about interference.
DO....help them understand the challenge and rules
DO....teach them the problem solving skills they need
DO....teach them any other skills they want to learn to better solve the challenge
DO NOT....give them ideas
DO NOT....critique their solution
DO NOT....allow parents or other experts to give assistance in any way
The Parent's Guide is also a good tool to let parents know what is and is not acceptible.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Director's Conference
This past weekend I attended the Annual Director's Conference for Destination ImagiNation Affiliate and Regional Directors. We were very busy attending workshops and plan to make the program better for all of you in Northern Indiana by utilizing the techniques and stategies we learned.
The Destination ImagiNation, Inc. brought in a specialist that gave us hints on contacting our elected officials about attending our events and finding funding for our progam. She believes that there are funding sources out their that we have not yet tapped.
I emailed this summer about the Construction Challenge that AEM is sponsoring. Please contact me if you want more information. Any high school that participates in this program will receive one Destination ImagiNation membership free! This program is fully funded. Teams that advance from the regional competitions that will take place at sites across the country (Milwaukee and Cinncinati in the midwest)will win a trip to the finals in Las Vegas at no cost. ALL costs will be covered by sponsors from the members of AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers). www.constructionchallenge.org
There are LARGE scholarships available in this program. Please check it out.
We are gathering a team of people to act as Regional Challenge Masters for the challenges. So far we have commitments for the IMPROV and Theatre challenges, let me know if you have anyone that might be interested in the other challenges.
The Destination ImagiNation, Inc. brought in a specialist that gave us hints on contacting our elected officials about attending our events and finding funding for our progam. She believes that there are funding sources out their that we have not yet tapped.
I emailed this summer about the Construction Challenge that AEM is sponsoring. Please contact me if you want more information. Any high school that participates in this program will receive one Destination ImagiNation membership free! This program is fully funded. Teams that advance from the regional competitions that will take place at sites across the country (Milwaukee and Cinncinati in the midwest)will win a trip to the finals in Las Vegas at no cost. ALL costs will be covered by sponsors from the members of AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers). www.constructionchallenge.org
There are LARGE scholarships available in this program. Please check it out.
We are gathering a team of people to act as Regional Challenge Masters for the challenges. So far we have commitments for the IMPROV and Theatre challenges, let me know if you have anyone that might be interested in the other challenges.
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