Scranton Library's First Destination Imagination Team Takes Second Place at State Tournament

The Scranton Library’s first-ever Destination Imagination Team won second place in their Team Challenge at the 2013 Destination Imagination State Tournament held on March 23  at Connecticut College.  This year’s DI Tournament included teams from Rhode Island as well as Connecticut.

Coordinated by Children’s Librarian Jane Ash and coached by Team Manager and Madison resident Ted O’Neill, the Scranton Library Team, who named themselves The Madison Science Club, competed on the Elementary Level.  Team members were: Melanie Siegel (grade 2), Pearse Rothman (grade 2), Carson Crowley (grade 3), Graham Wilker (grade 3), Aimee Chang (grade 4), Eric Dillner (grade 4), and Lucco Barry (grade 4). 

For their main challenge, the team selected a project called “Twist-O-Rama” which involved building a structure from materials such as aluminum foil, bamboo, newsprint, fishing line, duct tape and balloons.  The structure could weigh no more than 6.18 ounces but had to support at least 45 lbs for a minimum of 4 seconds.  It also must withstand a sideways blow from a ramming device.  In addition, the team had to write a story about their project that included a twist and provide a prop made out of some of the material used in the structure.  The team’s final structure supported 350 lbs and earned them second place in their age group.  Ash said “All I can say is awesome! They exceeded my expectations and Ted’s.”  The team met weekly for seven weeks to work on the structure and prepare their presentation.  At each meeting they also practiced instant challenges in preparation for completing an unknown timed challenge on the day of competition. 

The idea to start a team came after Jane Ash attended a workshop about Destination Imagination several years ago.  However, she was concerned the cost of bringing the program to the Library would be prohibitive particularly because teams are limited to seven children.  Jane said last fall she was approached by Destination Imagination’s Connecticut Affiliate Director, Eric Wolff, who thought a library would be a wonderful place to sponsor a team and he agreed to provide a scholarship to Scranton. Each team is required to provide volunteers to serve in several different roles.  Jane quickly recruited Ted who also runs the Library’s weekly Chess Club to serve as Team Manager.  Young Adult Librarian, Katie Fargo and Library Director Beth Crowley agreed to volunteer as Instant Challenge Appraisers at the Tournament.

While completing the challenges, the teams learn to take risks, be creative, and solve problems in a collaborative environment while applying the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) along with the arts and service learning.   According to the Destination Imagination Creative Compass handbook, the mission of DI is “To develop opportunities that inspire the global community of learners to utilize diverse approaches in applying 21^st Century Skills and creativity.”