Greenhill Fifth-Graders Compete at Destination Imagination

On Saturday, February 17, three separate teams of fifth-grade students at the Greenhill School participated in an innovative, fun-filled academic tournament called Destination Imagination (DI). Approximately 269 student teams from Dallas/Fort Worth Area Metroplex public and private schools presented their creative solutions to a number of mind-bending challenges in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), fine arts and service learning.Destination Imagination, Inc. is a global, volunteer-led non-profit cause-driven organization. Its purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. Annually, DI offers seven new standards-based Challenges in STEM, Improvisation, Visual Arts, Service Learning, and Early Learning. Each Challenge is open-ended and enables student teams to learn and experience the creative process from imagination to innovation. Academic tournaments take place around the world where teams have the opportunity to present their solutions to trained appraisers. Students have fun and gain confidence in their ability to solve any challenge. In working to solve the Challenges, teams learn 21st century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, citizenship and courage, to build on their unique strengths. DI teams typically spend months perfecting their Challenge solutions, and their presentations typically are bursting with distinctive creativity and innovation.Two of the fifth-grade Greenhill teams, IMAGITRONS and HANDY HORNETS, competed and won First Place in the Engineering Challenge called Drop Zone. This Challenge asks teams to design, build and test load-bearing structures made out of specific materials such as wood, cork, rubber bands, glue, and fishing line. The team then portrays a story about a sudden event with dramatic impact, and creates a visible or audible depiction of the story’s sudden event.Team IMAGITRON consists of Ali Agha, Oliver Burke, Alex Reiter, Alden Kendall, Ishaan Kandoth, and Arjun Subramanian. The HANDY HORNETS Team is comprised of Greenhhill students Zachary Moskowitz, Sherry Zhang, Oliver Hill and Noah Patenaude, a former Greenhill student.The PURPLE SAVAGE RACOONZ team of Greenhill fifth-graders Kaavya Sampath, Asha Blewett, Abigail Fox, Neha Bachu, Fina Herringa and Marieve Donnell received First Place in Improv. This Challenge is all about spontaneity and storytelling. Teams receive topics and produce skits right on the spot. To prepare for the Challenge, the students research different cultures and famous explorers. They then create and present an improvisational skit about a quest to return a lost cultural treasure to its owner.Fifth-grader Oliver Burke said, “Destination Imagination is the best experience ever! It has taught me how to work together as a team and cooperate with my teammates to achieve a goal. I love it, and can’t wait to participate in the State Competition and again next year in a different Challenge.”Of the 269 teams competing in the Dallas Tournament, 21 teams advanced to the Texas State Affiliate Tournament, including all three Greenhill fifth-grade teams. The State Affiliate Tournament will be held on April 6-7 in Mansfield, Texas. The event is open to the public, and visitors and media are encouraged to attend.IMAGITRON Team Manager Dr. Naureen Agha said, “I am so proud of these youngsters showcasing their hard work and creativity. Each student has learned so much during these last few months. Most importantly, each individual has learned what he can contribute and that he can compete while still being true to his values of kindness and inclusion. I’ve seen each of these teammates grow, and they were genuinely happy that all three Greenhill teams were advancing!”