Destination Imagination is a world leader In teaching creativity and critical thinking

8,000 YOUTH ON 1,260 TEAMS EXPECTED AT GLOBAL FINALS MAY 23-26

CHERRY HILL, N.J., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million youth and adults who have benefited from taking part in its acclaimed Challenge Program. This year, another 100,000 have competed in tournaments throughout the U.S. and in 30 countries to earn a spot at the finals this month.  

More than 8,000 students representing 1,260 teams will advance to Global Finals, a 9% increase in teams from last year!

Global Finals will be hosted on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville May 23-26. This celebration of creativity will feature unique solutions for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Improv, Theater Arts, and Community Service challenges.

"The Destination Imagination Program allows students K-College to learn and experience the creative process. Quantitative reasoning, problem solving, risk taking, collaboration, presentations, and thinking on your feet are some of the important skills learned in the Program," said Chuck Cadle, CEO.

The Innovation Expo at this event will this year feature NASA, Casio, ThinkFun, Texas Instruments, and many other exhibitors. In addition, students will have a chance to learn about environmental sustainability at the 3M sponsored "Explore the Uncharted" exhibit, and brain health in the Ready-Headset-Go exhibit. There will be book signings by Dr. Paul Nussbaum, keynote speaker and author of Save Your Brain, and by Tamara Kleinberg, author of Think Sideways.

BETTER GRADES CREDITED TO DESTINATION IMAGINATION
In a survey on 1,000 students at Global Finals last year, nearly half said taking part in DI had improved their grades, and a majority reported that DI helps them "do better in school." The majority also said DI helps them develop critical thinking skills, self-confidence, leadership and the ability to communicate better.

"The DI 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," declared Cadle.  "We've seen the development of superior aptitudes in analytical thinking, leadership, project management, teamwork, communication, research and innovation in hundreds of thousands of youth since our organization's inception. Destination Imagination is bridging the gap between what is taught in our schools and the thinking skills our youth will need to succeed in the world of the future."

SOURCE Destination Imagination