DI Globals: Connect the Dots
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Thank you for you helping our team get to
Destination Imagination Global Finals!
We are 8th-grade honor students and good friends at Ben Franklin Academy Middle School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA. Together we (Shreya, Austin, Arya and Shrey) make up team: Connect the Dots. On April 9, our Destination Imagination team placed second at the Colorado state tournament, qualifying us to compete at Global Finals from May 25-28 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. More than 300 teams competed at the state tournament, and we are honored to be one of the teams attending Global Finals to represent Colorado on the world stage.
What we did:
Our team placed 2nd Scientific Challenge called In Plain Sight - the team was required to research the many ways that camouflage is used by organisms in nature and showcase that research in the visible appearance of an organism. We also had to create a skit that has a plot twist caused by the use of camouflage and apply camouflage methods to an original, team-designed, and created set piece or prop.
What is Destination Imagination (DI)?
DI is a program designed to challenge young people (from kindergarteners to college students) to undertake creative problem solving through teamwork via the arts, sciences, and technology. The DI Challenges put forth each year foster students’ creativity, curiosity, and courage to step outside their comfort zones. Student teams work together to create solutions to selected Challenges using skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication – while having fun and experiencing the creative process from imagination to innovation – without assistance from adults. In other words, all teams and solutions are student-led; adults only act as facilitators for the group as Team Managers.
Our ability to participate in a program such as DI comes from the foundation we have received from our school, Ben Franklin Academy (a pre-K-8 charter school) in Highlands Ranch. Opening in 2011, Ben Franklin Academy’s mission is to develop young adults with character like America’s founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged. As Ben Franklin Academy students, we strive to embody the school’s vision, which includes excelling academically through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes math, science, and literacy – while fostering the arts, sports, nature, and character – as well as being held accountable for the success of our school. Our Ben Franklin Academy education is a natural complement to our participation in DI.
Now, our destination is DI Global Finals where we will compete among more than 1,400 teams from more than 15 countries. To attend, our team must raise $1,300 per person (more than $7,800 for our team), which covers our registration fees, air transportation and transfers, shipping costs, and on-campus housing and meals. The Douglas County School District, DI South Metro Region, and Ben Franklin Academy’s Parent Teacher Organization have already generously contributed to our fundraising efforts, but we need additional help.
We truly would like to thank you for your time and your consideration to help us as we grow towards a bright future!
Sincerely,
Team Connect the Dots
* Destination Imagination (DI) is an educational non-profit organization that teaches 21st century skills and STEM principles to kindergarten through university students through creative and collaborative problem solving challenges. Team members work together to develop a solution to one of 7 open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. Over 150,000 students in 30+ countries participate each year. Through the Challenge program, students learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation and learn skills needed to succeed in school, career and life, including teamwork, communication, project management, perseverance, creative and critical thinking, and self-confidence. You can find plenty of information on www.destinationimagination.org
Destination Imagination Global Finals!
We are 8th-grade honor students and good friends at Ben Franklin Academy Middle School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA. Together we (Shreya, Austin, Arya and Shrey) make up team: Connect the Dots. On April 9, our Destination Imagination team placed second at the Colorado state tournament, qualifying us to compete at Global Finals from May 25-28 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. More than 300 teams competed at the state tournament, and we are honored to be one of the teams attending Global Finals to represent Colorado on the world stage.
What we did:
Our team placed 2nd Scientific Challenge called In Plain Sight - the team was required to research the many ways that camouflage is used by organisms in nature and showcase that research in the visible appearance of an organism. We also had to create a skit that has a plot twist caused by the use of camouflage and apply camouflage methods to an original, team-designed, and created set piece or prop.
What is Destination Imagination (DI)?
DI is a program designed to challenge young people (from kindergarteners to college students) to undertake creative problem solving through teamwork via the arts, sciences, and technology. The DI Challenges put forth each year foster students’ creativity, curiosity, and courage to step outside their comfort zones. Student teams work together to create solutions to selected Challenges using skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication – while having fun and experiencing the creative process from imagination to innovation – without assistance from adults. In other words, all teams and solutions are student-led; adults only act as facilitators for the group as Team Managers.
Our ability to participate in a program such as DI comes from the foundation we have received from our school, Ben Franklin Academy (a pre-K-8 charter school) in Highlands Ranch. Opening in 2011, Ben Franklin Academy’s mission is to develop young adults with character like America’s founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged. As Ben Franklin Academy students, we strive to embody the school’s vision, which includes excelling academically through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes math, science, and literacy – while fostering the arts, sports, nature, and character – as well as being held accountable for the success of our school. Our Ben Franklin Academy education is a natural complement to our participation in DI.
Now, our destination is DI Global Finals where we will compete among more than 1,400 teams from more than 15 countries. To attend, our team must raise $1,300 per person (more than $7,800 for our team), which covers our registration fees, air transportation and transfers, shipping costs, and on-campus housing and meals. The Douglas County School District, DI South Metro Region, and Ben Franklin Academy’s Parent Teacher Organization have already generously contributed to our fundraising efforts, but we need additional help.
We truly would like to thank you for your time and your consideration to help us as we grow towards a bright future!
Sincerely,
Team Connect the Dots
* Destination Imagination (DI) is an educational non-profit organization that teaches 21st century skills and STEM principles to kindergarten through university students through creative and collaborative problem solving challenges. Team members work together to develop a solution to one of 7 open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. Over 150,000 students in 30+ countries participate each year. Through the Challenge program, students learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation and learn skills needed to succeed in school, career and life, including teamwork, communication, project management, perseverance, creative and critical thinking, and self-confidence. You can find plenty of information on www.destinationimagination.org
Organizer and beneficiary
Ellen Singleton
Organizer
Littleton, CO
Lisa Watanabe
Beneficiary
