Destination Imagination is a program which fosters creativity, courage and curiosity within students through academic challenges in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, fine arts and service learning.

During competitions teams are critiqued by a panel of trained judges, ranging from educators to artists to engineers.

After placing first in the regional competition and 5th in state, this will be the fifth time senior Deepti Aravapalli’s team has made globals.

“It’s really exciting because we didn’t know we had that much of a chance going in this year,” senior Deepti Aravapali said. “In the past it was like okay we are pretty guaranteed that we’ll probably get the ticket to go. Especially because it’s my last year, it’s really cool that we get to this year”

Creativity, workmanship, presentation, and teamwork are elements that each team’s solutions are scored on.

150,000 students participated in tournaments throughout the U.S. and 30 countries in hopes of advancing to global finals.

“I feel like it’s shaped me in so many different ways,” Aravapali said. “It’s helped me grow as a creator and as a leader and as a teammate and it’s taught me so many things about so many random topics like theater and structural engineering, things that you would never put together.”

Destination Imagination will compete at the global finals from May 23-26 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Reporting for Wingspan TV, I’m Divya Murali.