Algoma Destination Imagination teams advance to global finals

Algoma – Two Destination Imagination teams from Algoma have advanced to the global level of the competition in their respective categories.

The Chatterboxing Axolotls — made up of elementary schoolers Emerson Hooker, Ezekiel Joly, Isabella Kleimola Arvizu, Aurora Johnson, Luke Salzsieder and Ben Salzsieder — earned second place in the category of fine arts at the state competition.

Stoplight — made up of Ailey St John, Gwen Bennett and Brenden Bumm — earned first place in the category of improvisation.

Destination Imagination (DI) collaborates annually with educators and industry professionals to create seven academic challenges across STEAM, social entrepreneurship and Early Learning (Rising Stars). Teams of two to seven students, organized by age and grade, select a challenge and work together under the guidance of an adult team manager to research, design and build a solution. Challenge categories include science, fine arts, technical, engineering, improv and service learning, with Early Learning teams forming their own non-competitive category.

“The team members look at the different challenges and decide as a group which one they would like to do. Originally this team was looking at the scientific challenge which had to do with planets this year. However, in December they decided to switch to fine arts and never looked back,” Chatterboxing Axolotls Co-Team Manager Lisa Stewart said.

Teams present their solutions to a panel of appraisers, starting at the regional level, and have the opportunity to advance to State and Global Final competitions. The Global Finals feature teams from around the world competing against each other. In addition to the main challenge, which teams spend months preparing for, they must complete a surprise instant challenge on the day of the competition.

“This year the fine arts challenge had the teams researching minimalist set design, special effects and emotions. We had team members this year who wanted to create their own songs to add to their solution so they did just that. Teams can solve the challenge in so many ways, it’s fun to watch other teams in your category and get to see how they solved the challenge,” Chatterboxing Axolotls Co-Team Manager Laura Hooker said.

The Destination Imagination season runs from August 1 to the end of May, but the Algoma School District doesn’t usually start until shortly after the start of the school year.

“We started back in October or November and try to meet once or twice a week. The kids are responsible for the entire solution, so every idea and everything they make is all them. Lots of time for trial and error as they learn the skills they need to create their solution,” Stewart said.

The main challenge for each category changes annually, which can inspire teams to explore different disciplines. The team then works on that challenge throughout the season.

Teams face three levels of competition, from regionals to state to global. If a team makes it through but notices a flaw in their solution, they are allowed to modify their approach.

“The team can make changes to their central challenge solution between each level of competition if they choose,” Hooker said.

Most teams practice different types of instant challenges throughout the season in preparation for the instant challenge portion of their competition.

“The Chatterboxing Axolotls have worked really hard practicing instant challenge skills especially team work and have really improved throughout the season,” Stewart said.

“Going to Global Finals is unique in itself. This team competed against 12 other elementary fine arts teams at state to qualify for Globals. At Globals their competition will be much higher and teams come from all over the world. They are competing against the best from each state or country. Each level of competition challenges the kids to improve on what they have already done and bring their very best,” Stewart said.

The fine arts challenges encourage artistic expression through various forms, including visual arts, music, dance or theater. Teams create props and scenery as needed to help complete their challenge solutions.

Improvisational challenges require teams to adapt and create on the spot, often with a focus on communication, storytelling and performance.

This is Stewart’s 12th year as team manager — she began managing Algoma Destination Imagination teams when her eldest entered kindergarten, and has managed multiple teams at various levels throughout the years.

Hooker is in her first season as a team manager and enjoys watching her daughter and the other team members get to use their creativity and imagination.

“Each member of The Chatterboxing Axolotls brings something special to the team,” Stewart said. “Emerson is a great little actress, Ben is a fantastic builder, Luke keeps us laughing with his sense of humor, Isabella is great with the small details, Aurora could improve for hours and Zeke is full of creative ideas. They are all equally dedicated in different aspects of the season. This is really a great group of kids.”

Learn more about the Stoplight team, managed by Danielle Bennett, in next week’s paper.