VCU to host statewide creative-thinking competition

By Lissette Linares

RICHMOND, Va. — More than 4,000 students, parents and friends from across Virginia are expected to attend Destination ImagiNation on April 29 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The statewide competition, formerly held in cooperation with Odyssey of the Mind, is sponsored by the Virginia OM Association, Inc., to encourage teams of students in grades K-12 to use creative-thinking skills to solve complex problems. Winners will go on to compete against other state winners at the Destination ImagiNation international competition, to be held in Ames, Iowa, May 22-28.

More than 800 students from nine Virginia regions will compete at VCU in one of three categories: elementary, middle and high school. Teams consist of up to seven students, grouped by grade and age. A panel of parents, teachers and volunteers will judge the competition.

Susan Nunemaker, state director of Destination ImagiNation, said the competition has widespread appeal because any student may get involved. Participants learn to tackle problems, as well as work with other students to develop solutions.

"The children and their parents have had a ball at the regional competitions," Nunemaker said. "Students love the chance to express their creativity and to solve problems without guidance from adults."

The theme for this year’s competition is "Food for Thought." Teams have been working on one of five complex problems since September. They are: to build a roller coaster for tennis balls; present a half-hour improvisation of one of 12 famous people; use music to tell a story or create a mood; build a structure made entirely of pasta and glue; or create the story of a lost species faced with challenges to its survival.

In addition, teams may be asked to participate in "Instant Challenge," requiring them to respond to a surprise challenge in one minute’s time. An award and closing ceremony recognizing top teams will be held at the end of the day’s events at VCU’s Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., time TBA.

Teams have a spending limit of $100 for materials and props for their problems. Many students have visited garage sales and thrift stores to fulfill their shopping lists. Other materials on the lists, such as wood, are made available to students through their local school systems.

Destination ImagiNation at VCU is sponsored by the Virginia OM Association, Inc. and the VCU Alumni Association. Destination ImagiNation will take place at sites throughout VCU’s academic campus. Diane Stout-Brown, associate director of alumni activities, said the competition provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the university.

"A lot of young students have never been to this part of Virginia, and we want to show them what VCU and Richmond have to offer them," Stout-Brown said.

For more information, contact Stout-Brown at 828-2586.