KNOXVILLE—Eight thousand students from across the U.S. and the world will travel to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to participate in Destination ImagiNation’s Global Finals, May 25-28.
“The Destination ImagiNation competition requires students to work through some very demanding critical thinking and problem-solving assignments that strengthen our educational systems by enhancing the learning processes taking place in the classroom,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO of Destination ImagiNation Inc.
For Destination ImagiNation Inc., a nonprofit with more than 1.3 million alumni and a global network of 35,000 volunteers, it’s another record year for worldwide participation.
More than 100,000 students from throughout the U.S. and thirty countries took part in after-school creative problem solving challenges in their local areas. About 8,000 of those students have taken honors at regional and statewide tournaments and have earned the right to compete in Global Finals.
Destination ImagiNation has attracted the sponsorship of some businesses and organizations that see its value, such as 3M, National Dairy Council, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Volvo Construction Equipment, Motorola Foundation, Ameresco, GE, and IBM.
A comprehensive evaluation in late 2010 by researchers at the University of Virginia provides evidence that students participating in team-based problem solving competitions with Destination ImagiNation exhibit stronger skills than non-DI students in applying critical and creative thinking to reach innovative solutions to complicated challenges.
For more information about the report, visit http://www.idodi.org/1011downloads/2011di_program_evaluation_report.pdf.
Destination ImagiNation residence hall guests and off-campus guests are being asked to park in any N (non-commuter) lot on campus, including the G-7 (Andy Holt Avenue) and G-12 (Clement Hall on White Avenue) garages. Guests may also park in C (Commuter) lots, including the G-10 (Arena) garage. Staff lots on campus are reserved and should not be used by Destination ImagiNation participants.
Shuttle buses will be running to all competition sites and housing facilities throughout the competition.
C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely, (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu)