Montana Destination Imagination

Register Your Teams

To make sure you and your team managers get all the information about workshops and tournaments please register your teams as soon as possible.  Even if they have not yet chosen a challenge, make sure you reigster them at the Montana DI Website as soon as possible.  You can always go in and update their challenge and the names of the team members.  You will need to log in first before you can register your teams(s).

To register your teams you will need the following information

Find out about this year's DI Challenges!

Your team can build a structure and skit from "news worthy" materials and events.  Or you can pool your super problem-solving powers to save a something threatened and you won't believe what's on the list! Or your team can change audience members' minds with a flip of the wrist or any other puppet characters.  Or maybe your team will create a DI-Bot that makes the world a better place. Or maybe your team will decide to design a piece of equipment that can deliver supplies to a target over a barrier.

It's DI Time!

Destination ImagiNation teams are starting across the country and internationally!  The time is right for introducting DI to your students and parents.  The time is right for starting a team.  And the time is now for connecting with your Destination ImagiNation Regional Director.  There is no better time than now to make creative problem-solving an integral part of your students' lives.  (Check the side bar to determine your region and your regional director.)

Montana DI End of Year Quick Reminders!

Results Are In!

The Montana Destination ImagiNation State Tournament results are now posted on the website at www.mt-di.org .  Check out the awesome pictures from the event!

Instant Challenges to Relieve DI Withdrawal

Be sure to go to the Global Finals website at www.globalfinals.org to download Instant Challenges.  These are great to have for practice next year even if you are not going to Global Finals this spring!  Once in the site, scroll down to "Fuel Up Destination ImagiNation Practice Challenges!  There are 3 Instant Challenges and 6 Mini Challenges. 

A Peek at Global Finals

So What's a Tournament Data Form

The completed Tournament Data Form (TDF) is the appraisers' first indication of how well your team understands the challenge.  The last two pages of your Team Challenge is the Tournament Data Form and it has specific places for you to record everything you are asking the appraisers to score.  We actually recommend that you fill out the second page first with your Central Challenge information and then identify your Side Trips on the first page.  Without the Tournament Data Form, the appraisers could miss important areas where your team should receive points.  Taking the time to map your challenge on the Tournament Data Form and making sure that each Appraiser gets one is well worth it!

Here are some tips to help you filling out your Tournament Data Form:

Let's Talk SIDE TRIPS

By now your team had been working on the Central Challenge for weeks, maybe even months.  It's time to start thinking about Side Trips.  Side Trips are the details that your team has incorporated into it's challenge solution that makes it unique and remarkable.  (For the record, Side Trips are NOT places your team visited for training ideas, or materials.)  Your team can identify any part of its solution as a Side Trip that is not already being scored in the Central Challenge.  Here are some places to start looking: backdrops, scenery, original music, team member talent, etc.  The list is endless.

Team Registration

Remember December 15 is the Early Bird Registration Deadline.  If your team(s) and appraiser(s) are registered by December 15 they will receive a special gift.

Now that you have purchsed your membership, it is important to register your team(s) as soon as possible with Montana Destination ImagiNation.  This allows us to also make sure your team managers are receiving this e-mail and are notified of any trainings and important information.  To register your teams(s) go to the Montana DI website, set up an account, and proceed to the registration form.  The account will allow you to update the registration as needed.  If you don't have your team rosters complete or they have not picked a challenge please still register the team with their team manager.  You can always go back and update the registration.  If you need help finding funding to purchase your membership or pay your tournament fees please contact Montana Destination ImagiNation at montanacq@msn.com or 406-285-3777.

Each team must provide a trained appraiser for the regional and state tournament.  Please register your appraiser on the Montana DI website.

Have you ever tried to encourage your team to brainstorm for more creative ideas but were met with blank stares?  Here are some tools and tips for bringing the idea machine back to life:

It is important to register your team(s) as soon as possible.  This allows us to also make sure your team managers are receiving this e-mail and are notified of any trainings and important information.  To register your team(s) go to the Montana DI website, set up an account, and proceed to the registration form.  The account will allow you to update the registration as needed.  If you don't have your team rosters complete or they have not picked a challenge please still register the team with their team manager.  You can always go back and update the registration.  If you need help finding funding to purchase your membership or pay your tournament fees please contact Montana Destination ImagiNation at montanacq@msn.com or 406-285-3777. 

When your team began brainstorming ideas, they began collecting and recording themes, characters, gadgets, costumes, scenery, puns, etc.  If they use the sticky note recording system, they now have a very large pile of notes, right?  For focusing, it is a good idea to have your ideas sorted by category. Before the team begins prioritizing their ideas, they should review the rules:

Don't Delay

Remember that the summary of the challenges are not the complete challenges.  To participate in tournaments, your teams need a complete set of the challenges, rulebook and guides as soon as possible.  Therefore, it is important that you do not delay in purchasing your membership from Destination ImagiNation at www.shopdi.org.  If you need help finding funding to purchase your membership please contact Montana Destination ImagiNation at montanacq@msn.com or 406-285-3777.

Once your team has chosen the Team Challenge you can begin collecting ideas for a solution. 

The first thing your team needs to discuss is the rule of Interference.  This should be the team's secret until they take their solution to their Regional Showcase.  Not only does secrecy keep them from unwittingly soliciting ideas from outside the team but it ensures that their solution will be truly unique.  Once the team understands this concept they can get to the nitty-gritty.

It's not too late to purchase a DI membership.  There are 4 months left until your Regional Tournaments and they will go by quickly.  In order to get started, your teams need a complete set of the challenges, rulebook and guides ass soon as possible.  Therefore, it is important that you do not delay in purchasing your membership from Destination ImagiNation at www.shopdi.org.  If you need help finding funding to purchase your membership please contact Montana Destination at montanacq@msn.com or 406-285-3777.  If your school is considering the program for the first time you can pick up the prior issues at www.mt-di.org to learn more about how to get started.  It's not too late!