- 2026–27 Destination Imagination Challenge Previews
on October 14, 2026 by Destination Imagination (Destination Imagination)Which one will your team choose to solve this season? Explore the seven new 2026–27 Destination Imagination (DI) Challenges! From designing and building technical and engineering solutions to exploring science, creating theatrical performances, improvising, and making a difference in their […]
- She Always Had an Imagination. Today, It Makes Her a Better Engineer.
on October 13, 2026 by Tina Shaffer (Destination Imagination)In fifth grade, Leah Baker and her Destination Imagination (DI) team had an idea for their Challenge solution. For their performance, they would tell the story of a group of “nerds” who invented a revolutionary new fuel. They called it CAKE—short for calcium, astatine, krypton, and […]
- When Team Process > Winning (and why)
on October 3, 2026 by NH-DI (NH Destination Imagination)In Destination Imagination (or DI), a shiny trophy is nice, but it’s just a paperweight compared to what really happens in that team workspace. When the cardboard and duct tape starts flying, maybe soldering irons are heating up, and a sense of creative chaos takes over, something amazing is […]
- Understanding Interference in Destination Imagination
on September 30, 2026 by DIHQ (Destination Imagination)One of the most important parts of the Destination Imagination (DI) Challenge Experience is that the team’s Challenge solution—from the first idea to the final presentation—belongs to the students. That can also be one of the hardest parts of being a Team Manager. Your team may disagree about […]
- The Skills Gap Is Real. Here’s What’s Actually Closing It.
on September 29, 2026 by NH-DI (NH Destination Imagination)Every year, employers say the same thing: They need people who can think through problems they’ve never seen before, communicate clearly under pressure, and work well with teams that don’t all think alike. And every year, they struggle to find them. According to NACE’s Job Outlook 2025 […]
What is Destination Imagination?
Destination Imagination® is a fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, courage and curiosity through open-ended academic Challenges in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), fine arts and service learning. Our participants learn patience, flexibility, persistence, ethics, respect for others and their ideas, and the collaborative problem solving process. Teams showcase their solutions at tournaments all over the world.
Destination Imagination is a non-profit, volunteer-led, cause-driven organization. Its purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Approximately 200,000 youth make friends and learn the creative process through DI programs every year, and are supported by nearly 40,000 volunteers.
Destination Imagination's programs are developed annually to ensure they are relevant and align to National Education Standards, STEM standards, ELA Common Core Standards, and Mathematics Common Core Standards. Every year, with the help of parent volunteers, educators, and subject matter experts, DI designs new and exciting Challenges for student teams to solve.
How does the DI Challenge Experience work?
Up to seven members can be on a DI team, and students from kindergarten through university level participate. Each team also needs an adult Team Manager. Team Managers help students stay on track, but do not directly help the team to develop its solution to the DI Challenge. Team Managers are often faculty members or parents.
DI fosters students’ curiosity, courage and creativity as they solve Challenges together as a team. A big part of our program is the Interference policy: in short, kids have to imagine, create and develop solutions on their own. Parents, Team Managers, family and friends can’t suggest ideas or force teams in certain directions. Outsiders can only facilitate the acquisition of skills and knowledge.
There are seven new Challenges to choose from each year. Each of the Challenges is developed by a team of educators and industry experts who target a particular area of the curriculum and its related standards of content and performance. The areas of focus include: Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Structural and Service Learning. There is also a non-competitive Early Learning Challenge that allows children to further develop their social skills and nurtures their curiosity and creativity.
The season takes place from September through May. Depending on the Challenge, teams typically spend 2 to 4 months developing and practicing their Challenge solutions. While most schools run DI as an after school program, some school districts incorporate the program into their electives curriculum.
After weeks spent creating and developing their solutions, the team solutions are assessed at regional, state, or international tournaments. Our tournaments provide the opportunity for participants to celebrate creativity with their peers and promote healthy competition. Every year, local volunteers help run 200 tournaments around the world. Top-scoring teams advance to their state or country tournament, also known as an Affiliate Tournament. The top tier teams from each Affiliate Tournament have the opportunity to participate in Global Finals—the world’s largest celebration of creativity.
Participants learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation, which fosters their curiosity, courage and creativity. Students in our program learn higher order thinking and improve in creative and critical thinking while learning to work together as a team. Participants also have the opportunity to develop new friendships with students around the world.
How do we get started?
If you are trying to find a local Destination Imagination program, or would like to launch a new DI program at your school, please contact us—we're eager to help!
Our volunteers will answer any questions that you have about our programs. We can also help you to run a DI Information Night at your school.
Contact Us