Background Heading

Tips & Information for a successful DI season

Virtual Resources

Helpful Tips & Info in dealing with Challenges and Team meetings Virtually

Video and Audio-Conferencing Tools

Zoom
Note: Meetings durations maximum of 40 minutes in free version
Skype
Note: Up to 10 participants free
Webex
Note: Limited file and content sharing in free version

Chat and Collaboration Tools

Microsoft Teams
Slack
Facebook Groups
Screencastify – A screen sharing tool
Trello – A Team planning tool

Additional Low-Cost Tools

Additional low-cost tools for collaboration and conferencing to consider.

GoToMeeting
Google Hangouts Chat
Hangouts Meet

CALDI Minis

Virtual Experiences You Can Do Anytime From Home These bite-sized interactive activities will inspire your curiosity and DI creativity.
A great way to get your Team started Virtually!

2 Minute Team Manager
Videos

These videos cover a range of topics to help you guide your team!

Templates

See Videos

FUN Activities for Kids

Enjoy some creative play with these awesome STEAM activities for kids!

STEM Projects for Kids

Easy and fun collection of STEM projects and lessons for elementary and middle school. Made for teachers, science fairs, and weekend activities.

Instant Challenge

The Instant Challenge portion of the DI competition is a chance for your team to show off its creative problem solving skills as they work together and “think on their feet” in a very short time frame to solve a problem. ICs are usually 5-10 minutes long.

CALDI Instant Challenge Resource page

Apollo 13 video segment, – A real life Instant Challenge! An Awesome video that shows why kids need DI skills in preparing for life. You will need to watch it or download it from You Tube.
Watch a Team doing IC
IC Basics
Teamwork Games
Material Manipulation– Properties of Materials
IC Training guide
Training Performance IC
Training Task IC
IC Tips
Rising Stars ICs
ICs by Type
Even More ICs

The DI Program

How to explain the program to kids & Parents.

DI Program

Tomorrow’s Innovators & Leaders!

Destination Imagination (DI) is a project based, kid-driven program that teaches kids to be innovative problem solvers. Using STEAM, teams of students collaborate, think outside the box and create unique solutions to one of seven different challenges in preparation for a fun, problem-solving competition.

Destination Imagination (DI) is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization. Our purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders.

What is Destination Imagination?
Why choose DI?
Team Challenge Program
Project Based Learning
Destination Imagination Breakdown
Why We are DI Team Managers
An Elevator Pitch about DI
Describing DI

Team Organization

Get Organized to start the Season off right!

Team Organization

Get your season started by organizing your team and what to focus on. First thing get all the Parents involved! You don’t have to do it all yourself.

Sample Parent Meeting agenda
Congratulations you are a DI Parent – Letter to parents outlining the benefits of DI.
Average CA Region DI Team Costs

Managing Your Team

All kinds of helpful information

Managing your Team

Some helpful information to make managing the team easier. Building trust and teamwork is the first thing you should do!

General Advice

Advice for New Team Managers
Strategies for Rising Stars Teams
Behavior Management
Spirit of the DI Behavior
Minimize the chaos

Team Meetings

Scavenger Hunt activity – Great Team builder & Material exploration
Meeting Formats
Suggestion for the First Team Meeting
Setting Expectations

Team Choice Elements

Elements
Team Choice Elements
Picking a Team Choice Element
Suggestions on Team Choice

The Central Challenge

Get ready for Team Challenges
Choosing a Team Challenge – How to get your team to pick a challenge without hard feelings and why Parents should not choose for them.
Solving the central Challenge – Strategies and questions to ask the Team regarding its Team Challenge.
How to DIsect a team challenge – After a Team has chosen a Challenge, the next step is making sure they understand it.
Brainstorming

Tips

Helpful Tips for a Successful DI Season
Secrets of a Winning Team
Tips For TMs
T ips to Stand Out

Team Manager Journey

A timeline to use to guide your team to success. Filled with useful info for each step in managing your Team.

Interference

How can you best protect your team (and their Challenge solution) from unwanted Interference?

Interference

Destination Imagination requires each team to imagine, create, and develop their team’s Challenge solution completely on their own.

We want our kids to discover that they can solve difficult problems on their own. This includes learning from the mistakes that they are likely to make along the way.

Stop interference and teach your kids to stop it too. Let them learn to succeed!

What is Interference?
Interference Instruction
What is Interference Quiz
Interference Role Play Cards -A game to use with Teams to help them understand interference.
Answers to Role Play Cards
Teach your Team to be on guard
Interference Contract
Please don’t help my kids

Teamwork

Teamwork is a fundamental life skill. Building trust and teamwork using these games and activities is the first thing you should try with your Team.

Teamwork

Some exercises and games to do with your team the first few weeks. Building trust and teamwork is the first thing you should do!

Team Building Games
Appraising Teamwork
Destination-Imagination-Team-Building-for-Students-
Listening Exercises
Team Building
Team Work exercises
Top 10 things about Team Work

CPS Tools

What are CPS Tools?
Teach your team to use Creative Problem Solving skills to solve their Challenge.

CPS TOOLS

General Information

The Creative Process – Explain to your team how to answer the 3rd page of the tournament data forms.
The Creative Process and Project based Learning
Using CPS Tools – How to teach your team the creative process.
Basics of CPS
Presentation: The Creative Process – From NYDI
Presentation: Creative Problem Solving Tools – From NYDI

Generating Tools

SCAMPER — evoke or trigger new or varied options
Morphological Matrix — find new combinations of various parameters or characteristics of an item or a situation
Force Fitting — encourage new possibilites to arise from unexpected connections
Attribute Listing — use to look at new possibilities for an element
Lotus Blossom Technique — trigger elaboration and variation on a single core idea
Idea Generators — generate as many ideas as possible

Focusing Tools

ALoU — a constructive way to analyze strengths, challenges, unique aspects, and future potential of an option
Evaluation Matrix — evaluate, weigh or choose options against specific criteria
Paired Comparison Analysis — rank a small number of choices
Sequencing — organize tasks along a timeline to create a plan of action

The Design Process

Basic steps you should go through when building some type of prop or device.

The Design Process

These are the basic steps you should go through when building some type of prop or device. How much time you spend on each step depends on the type and complexity of the device or prop you are building.

Scavenger Hunt/ Field trip activity
Steps in the Design Build Process
Be Resourceful.
Constructive Feedback
CPS Tools on the Wall
DI-Fining Your Role
Line the Walls with Lists
Project Management with DI Teams
To Do Lists for Team Members

Materials & Construction

So Much information on materials, tools, construction and props.

Materials & Construction

Tools & Fasteners

Top Ten Tools for DI Teams–A suggested list of must have tools for DI Teams. Remember TMs don’t have to purchase special tools. Team Parents, Grandparents and friends can be recruited to help Teams learn new skills and to use tools safely. Home Depot also holds free workshops for kids Saturday mornings where store volunteers teach kids new skills building crafts.
Fasteners – Everything you need to know. A great list to give your team as they are planning.

Cardboard

Cardboard crafts gallery: Ideas to share, to help teams build skills and to spur the imagination. Cardboard is a great cheap resource. Recycle boxes from local stores or ask a box manufacturer to donate some raw flat stock.
Repurpose cardboard boxes: How-to instructions to inspire props and set pieces including refrigerator, castle, doll bed, car, and more.
Using Corrugated– Some tips to help Teams get started using corrugated cardboard in their solutions.
Cardboard workshop – ways to manipulate and attach objects.

Duct tape

Duct tape activities: You can’t do DI without a little duct tape. This is a great page with many projects and activities you can make with duct tape.
Duct tape boots: How to make costume boots from duct tape, and other materials.
Duct tape flowers: Instructions and pictures for making various flowers.
Duct tape crafts: A great site with hundreds of ideas.

PVC pipe

PVCPlans: Dozens of free plans for building things out of PVC pipe; backdrops, props, gadgets. An inexpensive DI-friendly resource.
PVC Ideas and Tutorials: Another clever PVC page with tutorials on how to use PVC with ideas to spur the imaginations of team members.

Sets and props

B ackdrop Presentation1– A powerpoint presentation to show your teams the different types of backdrops. You can tailor the presentation to suit your needs. There are only pictures, no words in the powerpoint.
Making a theatre flat: Directions on how to build a theatre backdrop. You team can use these instructions and modify them to be meet their needs.
Stage props: a Pinterest collection with ideas for making many different stage props.
Recycled materials props: Using common items in uncommon ways to create props.
Trash to treasure: Another Pinterest page, this one collecting ideas for reusing plastic bottles.

Links to other Great Websites

Duct Tape! – A link to an awesome website to purchase duct tape!
DI Journey Camp Pinterest Page – An Awesome pinterest site full of tons of links to information for DI Teams!

Performance

Information on drama, acting, costume, makeup and storytelling. Skills you can use with your Team.

Performance

Costumes and makeup

Children’s makeup for stage: A handy-dandy tutorial for applying makeup for stage performances.
Homemade kid’s costumes: Halloween costumes from Martha Stewart, some awesome examples with instructions that may spark ideas for your team.
Clever DIY costume inspirations: collected on Pinterest, beards, wigs, jelly fish, hot air balloons … Oh My!
Creative costume ideas: more cute and creative ideas for costumes.
Costumes from recycled boxes: costumes made from recycled cardboard boxes, Rubik’s cube, dinosaur, and more.
Mask-template – A simple pattern to make a mask out of cardboard or paper.
Costume Links

Drama and performing

Rising Stars Improv and Acting Tips
Team Challenge Presentation Tips workshop – Primary Author: Peggy Middendorf – Questions to ask Teams to help them conceptualize their solution. A great checklist of questions about Scripts, Sets, Costumes and Props for TMs to use in talking to their Team without interference. Teams can also be given the sheet to use in their planning.
Drama and Theater Resource Guide: “Comprehensive Learning Guide for Students and Teachers”
Drama Notebook: “World’s largest collection of drama activities for kids”
Drama warm up games for kids: Get children moving, thinking, and acting.
5 Ways to Help Your Kids Project Their Voice on Stage
Drama Game: Alien, Tiger, Cow: Get students comfortable around each other.
Drama Games for Kids: Fun and easy drama games ideal for young actors.
Costume and Makeup Tricks: DIY costume and makeup ideas.

Story Telling

Story Writing Tips for Kids: Character and conflict, plot and dialogue, setting and scenes, write and revise.
Make a Story Roll: A happy activity that gets children excited about creating stories.
Write a Story from an Ant’s Perspective: A good chance to help kids explore other perspectives.
Wham! Bam! Kapow! Cartoon Story Telling: Teach children how to work in all the essential parts of a story.
Story Bags: A fun activity to generate fun stories.
Seven Steps to the Perfect Story: A guide to story telling success.
How to Tell a Story: A collection of TED talks which explore various aspects of this topic
B M E story chart – A template to use with Teams to begin story writing.
Story prewriting questions – Template to use to help Teams plan their presentation.
Character Development
Clear-Storytelling-
Good Better WOW
Group Story Activities
Questioning.
Questions for the team to think about when planning their presentation solution
Script Writing-Page to Stage

Challenge Help

Structure Challenge & Technical Challenge Tips.

Challenge Help

Structure Teams

Structure Team Guide – A step-by-step approach to teaching a Destination Imagination team about building structures, from NYDI.
Tips-2014-2015 – Download this document that contains Links and Tips on Building a tester, where to buy balsa wood and other pertinent structure challenge info.
Balsa Goddess Website has great information for teams doing the structure challenge. This site has great resources for material and tools as well as information pertaining to weight placement and tester building.
Structure tutorial – To help all teams doing the structure challenge covering a range of topics including safety, design principles, glues and jigs.
Structure Workshop presentation – from Illinois DI that might be useful to show to teams deciding to do the structure challenge.
How To Build a Structure Tester – Plans and directions on how to build a structure tester like the ones used at tournaments. Teams need to test their structures early and often!

Tournament Tips

Prepare your
Team & Parents
for Tournament Day

Tournament Tips

Tournament Tips

Elevator Pitch – Practice what to tell the Appraisers about your solution.
Failure Proof your Team– Talk to them about all the things that could go wrong and have them come up with a plan
Tournament Information Form to give to Parents and Fans
Tournaments and the Meaning of Success to a Team
Picking up & Understanding Team Score
3 Team Tips to Stand Out
Tournament Info Sheet for Parents

After the Season is Over

Take time to Celebrate all the Kids have accomplished!

After the Season is Over

Summer Activities

Ideas to Celebrate your Team
12-ways-to-promote-teamwork-creativity-problem-solving-during-the-summer

Fundraising

How to explain the program
to kids & Parents.

Fundraising

Ideas

Ways to fund a Team
Fundraising
Fundraising DI Style – From an anonymous source

Publicity

Spread the Word!
Generate Publicity for your Team,
Region and State.

Publicity

Press Releases & Publicity

Tournament Press Release Template
How to generate publicity for your Team
Presenting DI To Community Groups.
Tips to generate Publicity & Donations
Get Media Coverage for your Team or Region

Marketing Materials

Flyers and Materials to Advertise DI.

Marketing Materials

Information Night Materials

How to run an information night – Edit it to your needs
Challenge Preview
Challenge Preview – Spanish
Parent Interactive DI Marketing Booklet
Start a Team BiFold
Team Manager Recruitment flyer
Welcome to DI Powerpoint

School Flyers – Edit to suit your needs

School Flyer
Creative Kids Flyer

Newspaper & Facebook advertisements

Ad for appraisers – To put in the local papers and news groups
Ad for Information Nights – Put on local message boards and use for Principals emails

Team Manager Corner

Tips and Advice from Experienced Team Managers to help you thru the Season

Team Manager Corner

Welcome to CALDI’s Team Manager’s Corner. Being a Team Manager (TM) can be overwhelming and a little isolating so we’ve gathered some hints and tips written by experienced California TMs.

Letting Loose Creativity
Focus on Team Building
Creativity from Chaos
How Do I Teach Creativity When I’m Not Creative?
Learning about DI
Picking the Challenge
Understanding the Challenge
Generating Ideas
Research
Focusing on a Solution
Materials
Tool and Material List
Transitions
Frustration
Team Choice Elements and the Improv Challenge
Instant Challenge Teamwork
Practice, Practice, Practice
Three weeks before your tournament
Two weeks before your tournament: Panic!!!!?
One week before your Tournament: the Calm before the Storm
After the Tournament
One week after your Regional tournament: State Finals?
Two weeks after your Regional tournament: Global Finals?!?
So your team’s season is finished. Now what?

Global Finals Teams

Congratulations to you and the Team!
Now what's next?

Global Finals Teams

Tips & Information

2019 Global Finals Team Guide
Global Finals Tips for TMs
Global-Finals-Instant-Challenge-Information-Sheet

While all of these options have a free version, please note you may be prompted to consider their upgraded versions for a subscription fee.

Video and Audio-Conferencing Tools

Chat and Collaboration Tools

Additional Low-Cost Tools