Can young people be taught to think and act more creatively? Can they have fun while they learn to think outside the box?
"Absolutely," say organizers of Destination Imagination, the largest creative program for young people from kindergarten through college.
For the Jefferson City area, the program's kickoff meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri River Regional Library's art gallery.
Destination Imagination is an educational program where students solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. All ideas must come from team members only.
Here's how it works. Up to seven participants work together as a team for eight to 12 weeks to create their solution for a Team Challenge, which can have a focus that is theatrical, structural, improvisational, scientific or technical. Teams also learn and practice creative quick-thinking skills for the Instant Challenge portion of the program.
This school year, students could be tasked with seven difference Destination Imagination challenges:
• Technical - Dig In
• Scientific - Going to Extremes
• Structural - The Tension Builds
• Fine Arts - Laugh Art Loud
• Improvisational - Pande-Monium
• Service Learning - Pitch & Play
• Rising Stars for Early Learning - Circus!
The cost per team is $145, or about $20 per student for a team of seven children. There are also regional tournament fees and challenge materials.
Kids who love solving problems and enjoy thinking creatively are invited to attend the organization meeting Wednesday. For more information, contact Mary Kremer at [email protected] or 573-635-7256.