Eight of 11 problem-solving teams from Valley schools placed in the top three in their respective categories at the Destination Imagination’s provincial tournament in Vancouver, qualifying for the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn. in May. Three teams are provincial champions.
Starting in September, teams solve challenges in different areas. During tournaments they compare their solution with others in the same grouping – elementary, middle, secondary and university – while appraisers analyze solutions. Challenges are the same in 32 participating countries. The focus is developing innovation, critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication skills, and resilience.
Highland Secondary had a breakthrough year. Two teams topped their categories at the Instant Challenge. They were provincial champs in the Structural Challenge and finished second in the Improvisation Challenge.
Isfeld Secondary lived up to its reputation with one provincial champ in the Secondary Technical Challenge, a second behind Highland in the Structural Challenge and a third in the Fine Arts Challenge.
Isfeld also had two middle level teams: the one with students from Isfeld and Ecole Robb Road were provincial champs in improvisation, finishing ahead of a team of all Isfeld students.
Another Robb Road team was third in the Structural Challenge at the Middle School level. They created a structure that weighed 76 grams and held 480 pounds before breaking.