DI is an international organization for kindergarten through college students
that teaches life skills and expands imaginations through team-based creative
problem solving. Teams of seven members work together with the support of
a team manager to solve one of 5 challenges in a skit format.
Destination ImagiNation is an international creative problem-solving competition
open to all PISD students. The PISD is one of many area school districts participating
in the NExT Region. Competition guidelines and procedures are managed and
updated by the DI organization; the most current information is found on-line
at www.txcpso.org/next. The PISD establishes guidelines for its staff, parents,
and students within the general philosophy and rules provided by the DI organization
and the NExT Region.
The purpose of DI is to develop life-long learning skills and team work while
also providing participants the opportunity to develop such skills as:
The Plano ISD’s participation
in Destination Imagination is overseen by the Coordinator of Gifted Programs.
The Coordinator is advised by staff members who serve as representatives to
the DI Regional Board of Directors. These representatives may vary by year.
These individuals represent PISD to the region, communicate in a timely fashion
with the Coordinator of Gifted Programs about DI affairs, and assist DI Campus
Facilitators as needed.
Participation in Destination ImagiNation
is open to all PISD students. The numbers of students interested in participating
on individual campuses will affect the number of teams that can be formed.
A team must consist of no fewer than 2 and no more than 7 members. It is recommended
that teams consist of 5-7 members.
Teams are accepted on a first-come/first serve basis regardless of previous participation; returning teams do not receive preference regarding problem selection. Second memberships may be purchased by the campus to allow for additional teams.
Returning teams (teams that competed the previous school year) are allowed to remain together and may replace students as needed.
New teams will be formed from new participants.
Team members who participated the previous year and who now are enrolled in a different PISD school are eligible to participate on their former team IF space permits and all administrators agree.
Students from other memberships may join a team if space permits and all involved agree.
See current DI guidelines for additional information.
Teams unable to recruit a parent manager will be disbanded.
Competition takes place on an age-divisional basis. Age-divisions are determined by the oldest member of the team. Each problem specifies the divisions eligible for competition. See on-line resources for details. The divisions are:
Primary: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
Elementary: 3rd – 5th grades
Intermediate: 6th – 8th grades
Secondary: 9th –12th grades
