By Victoria Wittenbrock
Intern
GREEN BAY – Hundreds of student-manned teams will converge at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) April 9 for the 2022 Destination Imagination (DI) Wisconsin Affiliate Tournament.
“We are excited to bring back the Destination Imagination Affiliate Tournament to campus after a couple year hiatus due to the pandemic,” Jason Mathwig, UWGB executive manager of education outreach, said. “This event is a great opportunity for UW-Green Bay to showcase our beautiful campus to families coming from all across the state that may have never set foot on our campus.”
Destination Imagination, commonly known as DI, is a competitive, educational activity for students from kindergarten through 12th grade centered around STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
Each DI team consists of five to seven students.
The upcoming UWGB tournament separates competitors into three different levels – elementary, middle and high school.
Each team will present their solution to their Team Challenge in front of the judges and spectators.
Participants collaborate over the course of several months to generate a solution to the Team Challenge of their choice.
Organizers said there are seven new challenges this year: improvisational, visual arts, service learning, technical and early learning.
Teams will also privately participate in an Instant Challenge, which enables them to put quick thinking and problem-solving skills to the test.
Mathwig said there is also a Rising Star category, which enables aspiring innovators from grades kindergarten through second grade to participate in a non-competitive showcase aspect.
“The impact that this event has on the students competing is priceless,” he said. “Through these challenges, it provides them the skills of teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving all while building their confidence.”
The day begins bright and early with registration at 6:30 a.m., with performances starting at 8 a.m.
The tournament will be held at various locations throughout the UWGB campus, including the Brown County STEM Innovation Center, Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, Wood Hall and Rose Hall.
UWGB Chancellor Michael Alexander said he hopes the experience of each competitor is “memorable and meaningful.”
Each team’s success will be gauged by competition judges, which will ultimately determine their possible advancement to the Global Finals hosted in Kansas City, Missouri, in May.
For more information about the Destination Imagination Tournament and printable maps visit uwgb.edu/destination-imagination.