ORFORDVILLE — In Destination Imagination (DI), students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM challenges designed to teach the creative process.
The creative process is a step-by-step approach that helps students better understand problems and ask better questions, come up with solutions, learn from failure, and celebrate their achievements.
In going through this process, students learn vital life and career skills — creative thinking, critical thinking, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving — that help them feel empowered and set them up for success in their future.
The Parkview Destination Imagination program experienced a historic season, with three elementary level teams qualifying for the Global Tournament, held May 22-25 in Kansas City, Missouri.
All three teams represented the Parkview School District and the state of Wisconsin well, with “Top 20 Finishes” for each team.
Parkview’s Jo LaBam competed in the Service Learning Challenge: Uncharted. Teams participating in this challenge were required to collaborate with others to meet a need within a community. The team members worked with Parkview Student Services to assist restocking the PES “Kids Care Closet” with hygiene supplies and other needed items.
The “Kids Care Closet” was actually brought to life by a former Destination Imagination team, The Llama Lunatics, seven years ago and is still maintained by Parkview Elementary School, Parkview Student Services, and the Parkview Elementary School Student Council.
Jo LaBam presented their project in a “fantasy story” that included an interactive map, a treacherous journey, and a team-created sound board.
Jo LaBam team members are Asher Crane, Landon Abrahamson, Oliver Fenwick, Jaxon Letheby, Aiden Williams, Mason Krieg, and Alton (Bear) Loncar. The Team Manager/Coach is Lisa Fenwick.
Jo LaBam had an outstanding showing at the DI Global Tournament, finishing 7th out of a competitive field of teams from around the world.
Parkview’s Mona Lizards competed in the Fine Arts Challenge, In Motion. Teams competing in this challenge were required to bring a piece of artwork to life.
The Mona Lizards selected a Normal Rockwell original, “Happy Birthday Miss Jones,” to bring to life. In addition to the artwork that the team chose to interact with, the team also created an impressive and very detailed wool-felt background to support their storyline.
The Mona Lizards are comprised of Sophia Marcellus, Karli Amundrud, Lila Flodeen-Schroeder, Liliana Burris, Afton Stoltz, and Ella Seibert. Their Team Manager/Coach is Andrea Marcellus.
The Mona Lizards finished 11th out of a large field of teams.
Parkview’s Monke Masters competed in the Engineering Challenge, Going the Distance. The team was challenged to design a device that can throw a 16-ounce cornhole beanbag up to 300 centimeters. The device design incorporated technical aspects that allowed it to “morph” into a second design that could also throw a beanbag up to 300 centimeters. The device needed to fit into a box no larger than 20 inches by 20 inches by 20 inches.
The Monke Masters are Callen Purkapile, Sawyer Allen, Drake Schroeder, Mark Eiseman, Grant Todd, Lukas Huebner and Reif Myers.
The Team Manager/Coach is Nikki Lutzke.
The Monke Masters finished 18th in a highly technical field of teams from around the world.
Those with any questions or would like to get more information can connect with Nikki Lutzke, Parkview Destination Imagination Coordinator/Team Manager/Coach at nlutzke@email.parkview.k12.wi.us or by calling 715-213-4623.
