Hopkins’ Destination ImagiNation Team Wins Third at Global Finals

state champion Destination ImagiNation team, E.D.U.C.A.T.E.D., came away with third place at last week’s Global Finals in Knoxville, TN.

Ian Anderson, Graham Giesting, Rachel Gorlin, Rebecca Gorlin and Natalie Polinsky competed against 78 other secondary level teams in their challenge, Coming Attractions, as well as completing an Instant Challenge.

They met teams from Brazil, Canada, China, Guatemala, Mexico, Norway, Poland, South Korea, and Turkey— and traded pins with these teams and with many from the other 49 states.

They also volunteered for two shifts at the Destination ImagiNation service booth, created their own pin giveaway to reward those who amazed them with their talents and went swimming and zorbing, or rolling downhill in plastic orbs.

Destination ImagiNation helps students learn creativity, teamwork and problem solving by coming up with solutions to challenges that they present at tournaments. It involves science, technology, engineering and math skills—as well as theater skills. In addition to winning first in state April 14 at Jackson Middle School in Champlin, MN, E.D.U.C.A.T.E.D. also won a Renaissance Award for demonstrating outstanding skill in the areas of engineering, design or performance.

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