On March 21, 2025, the 14th edition of the “Destination Imagination” (DI) tournament took place at Symmes/D’Arcy. This creative international competition, held annually, allows students to demonstrate their scientific, technical, and artistic skills in a fun and stimulating environment. As in previous years, the Western Québec School Board had the honor to host the provincial tournament at D’Arcy McGee High School welcoming over 120 students from 13 schools.
Destination Imagination is not just a competition; it is both an educational and fun experience that plays a key role in the development of young people. The program is connected to the federal government’s “Skills for Success” framework, which identifies essential skills for future jobs. These include creativity and innovation, problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and communication. These skills are linked to the DI program and prepare young people to excel in an ever-changing world.
This event is organized by Lisa Diner, Educational Technology Consultant, and Steve Greig, Complementary Services Consultant.
The focus of the program is to enrich the science and technology program by offering students a unique opportunity to have fun while developing essential skills for their future.
To achieve this, the organizers offer two challenges: a technical challenge for secondary school teams and a scientific challenge for elementary school teams.
This year, the scientific challenge had students focused on Space, the final frontier. Teams were asked to tell a story about a character who figures out they are not alone on a planet. They had to show off their science fiction skills with some out-of-this-world technobabble.
They also had to Design and build a device and/or effect that demonstrates what the technobabble describes and include a scientific demonstration that shows the science behind why a specific phenomenon of the planet happens and/or exists.
The technical challenge had students build it up and knock it down! Teams had to go from the highest heights to the lowest lows as they designed and built equipment to create and destroy stacks of items. Teams used technical methods to build two devices, one for assembly and one for destruction.
They had to use technical methods such as electricity, physics, structural and mechanical engineering. These devices stacked items and then knocked them down into a target area for points.
The story featured a character who needs something and is then seeking it out and also their greatest wish encounters a frustration point. How will it end as it all comes tumbling down?
The day began with an opening parade of teams and the organizers took the stage to welcome the participants and present the day’s program.
After the teams were introduced, the wonderful appraisal team marched into the gym, to a roaring cheer. The day would not be possible without their tireless efforts and extra supply of smiles.
Following the appraisers was the leadership students. These students gave up their day to support our DI tournament. The students not only helped at the with various tasks at our tournament but also lead leadership activities to keep the students engaged throughout the day.
A huge thank you to all these students and their teacher leaders.
The various challenges then began, leading to impressive performances by the students, who displayed energy, talent, and ingenuity. Throughout the day, the young participants competed with skill and imagination to meet the challenges presented.
Following the competition, all the students were brought back to the gym where Mr. Kent lead them in various large group activities.
The day continued with an awards ceremony. The first award went to a team who wanted to continue Destination Imagination into high school. They were our first high school team in our 14 years and we wanted honour them. Congratulations to Safe-ish from D’Arcy McGee High School.
The first award went to the Silliest Hat worn by appraisers and this year there was a tie for the McDonald’s Hats. Bravo Mesdames.
The next award was the James Shea Building DI Award given to a devoted team manager in honour of the school board’s late chairperson, who was an enthusiastic supporter of the event.
This year, the recipients of the award were Selina Gervais and Mallory Peck both from Onslow school and Stefanie Partridge from Queen Elizabeth School in Kazabazua.
The special awards were issued to students for specific skill-sets. The DaVinci Award presented to a team for having a unique approach to a solution, for risk-taking and/or outstanding creativity and went to Cool Blue Aliens from Greater Gatineau and to Safe-Ish from D’Arcy McGee High School.
The Renaissance Award targets outstanding skills in the area of design, engineering, execution or performance and this year, the recipients of the Renaissance Awards goes to DI-Stracted Astronauts from Wakefield, Gossip Girls from Onslow and Peaceful Penguins from Symmes.
The third of the special awards is the Spirit of Discovery and Imagination which is given to a team in recognition of those who act as exceptional role models in the areas of spirit, teamwork, sportsmanship, volunteerism, diversity, equity and/or inclusion. This year, the winner was the Dramatics from Buckingham.
The winners of our Team Challenges were:
- For high Score for Instant Challenge
- Central Challenge – Scientific 1
- Central Challenge – Scientific 2
- Central Challenge – Technical
The Western Québec School Board extends its congratulations to all participating teams for their ingenuity and effort, as well as to their dedicated team managers who worked diligently to support their teams throughout the school year, (giving up many lunch hours to do so).
We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Lisa Diner, Steve Greig, for organizing and facilitating both Destination Leadership and Destination Imagination.
See you next year.