April 8, 2026
Destination Imagination is a creative problem-solving program that is 100% student-driven. Student teams are given academic challenges designed to teach the creative process, allowing them to use their imagination and innovation to turn their ideas into reality.
Destination Imagination provides engaging Team Challenges that inspire students to pursue their interests, uncover their individual strengths and talents, and develop new skills. Teams also participate in Instant Challenges, quick, creative, and critical-thinking exercises that build teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Each team selects a Team Challenge at the beginning of the year and spends months brainstorming, designing, revising, and perfecting their solution. Teachers help guide the process, but the ideas and final products belong to the students.
The 2025–2026 DI season brought new challenges that reflected a world shaped by advancing technological change, environmental responsibility, and the power of storytelling. Technical Challenge teams built complex machines and explored automation and AI. Scientific and Engineering teams tackled real-world problems, from environmental issues to the design of complex structures using physics and research. Fine Arts teams brought original stories to life through performance and visual design, connecting creativity with meaningful global themes. (https://www.destinationimagination.org/)
Destination Imagination Global Finals is the world's largest celebration of student creativity, bringing together thousands of extraordinary teams from around the world to present innovative solutions in STEAM-based challenges.
The following teams from NCSD qualified for the Global level tournament and will take their challenge solutions to Kansas City, Missouri, where they will compete with teams from all over the world: This is Why We DI - CYMS, Super Sonic Slaying Slugs - CYMS, The Beautiful Barbies and Raquel - CYMS, Pink Pony Riding Princesses - CYMS, Jacked Gym Bros - CYMS, Brainiacs - Journey Elementary, Destination Negotiation - Journey Elementary, Super Peeps - Evansville Elementary, and Nuclear Shadows - Evansville Elementary.
Congratulations to all of the student participants on their incredible success!
Technical: Win It Big
Elementary
- Third Place - Journey Elementary - Fine Axolotis
Middle Level
- First Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - This is Wy We DI
- Second Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Green Hoodie Guys
- Third Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Awkward Silence
- Fourth Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Make DI Great Again
- Fifth Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Big Brain Baddies 2.0
Scientific: Unforgettable
Elementary
- First Place - Journey Elementary - Brainiacs
Middle Level
- First Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Super Sonic Slaying Slugs
Improv: Casting Shadows
Elementary
- First Place - Evansville Elementary - Nuclear Shadows
Fine Arts: Becoming Super
Elementary
- First Place - Evansville Elementary - Super Peeps
- Third Place - Journey Elementary - P16
Middle Level
- First Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - The Beautiful Barbies and Raquel
- Second Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Lebron’s Minions
- Third Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Windows Loading Screen
- Fourth Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Super Munchers
Engineering: Above and Beyond
Middle Level
- First Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Jacked Gym Bros
- Second Place - CY Middle School Summit DI - Pink Pony Riding Princesses
Service Learning: Give and Take
- First Place - Journey Elementary - Student Advisory
If you are interested in learning more about Destination Imagination at your school, reach out to Desiree Riley at [email protected]