Destination Imagination (DI) describes a “fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, courage and curiosity through open-ended academic challenges in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), fine arts and service learning.”
Their worldwide program focuses on inspiring students to think outside the box, and SNHU’s DI Team (SNHU White and the 7 Dwarves) travelled to Louisville, Kentucky for the 2017 Global Championship, scoring first in the Improvisational Challenge.
This challenge required the seven team members – Cyndi Caplette, Jacqueline Capobianco, Sarah Lawton, Abby Meltzer, Kevin Preval, Caryssa Propfe and Ryan St. Cyr – to perform a series of skits that met the given requirements such as scenario, genre, characters and props, with only three minutes of preparation.
This challenge required teamwork and communication, and the team effectively demonstrated their improv skills, ultimately securing the top spot after months of practice. Team member Kevin Preval said he “felt that this group worked tremendously when practicing for this improv challenge,” and recent alumna Sarah Lawton spoke to the fun and humorous aspects of their preparation, saying “we had practiced that morning and we were in tears making each other laugh.”
While this program at SNHU is organized through the School of Education, sophomore team member Abby Meltzer encouraged any student to get involved with DI because “the program emphasizes the idea of creativity and innovation, and gets students involved in technology and engineering. DI incorporates performance and fine arts as well as aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), so there is a role for anyone on a team.”
Students interested in joining or forming a team can contact advisors Lynn Murray-Chandler (l.murray-chandler@snhu.edu) or Denise Benner (d.benner@snhu.edu), who supported the team through guidance, best practices, and real-world application that extends beyond each performance.
