Dear DI Parent,
We, Brad Pope and Mike Burda, would like to introduce ourselves. We are the team managers for the 2007 – 2008 Destination Imagination Challenge E.
This is Brad’s first year as a Destination Imagination Team Manager. Brad has been a Destination Imagination parent for the last three years.
This is Mike’s third year s a Destination Team Manager. This is also Mike’s third year as a Destination Imagination parent.
The goal of this letter is open a dialogue between the team managers and parents. Destination Imagination is a wonderful program that helps children develop creative problem solving skills.
Destination Imagination also presents unique interactions between parents and children. As a parent, we always want to help our children solve problems. Destination Imagination requires that you do not “interfere”. By now, you have signed your pledge to not interfere.
Interference is a challenging concept to understand. During the year, your child will ask you for resources to complete their project. It is imperative that you follow the explicit directions of your child. If your child’s directions are not explicit please ask them to clarify. In times of uncertainty, we invite you to contact us, Mike or Brad, for clarifications or assistance.
Each challenge in Destination Imagination has its own unique “challenges”. Your child has chosen to participate in Challenge E, “Switch”. Challenge E is a construction challenge where your child is required to build a structure from wood and glue. Your child understands the dimensions and challenges.
Unfortunately, wood does not grow on trees ;-). That is wood and glue are not free. Destination Imagination is funded in part by Riley Elementary. However, each team is asked to cover the cost of materials needed to complete their challenge.
Moreover, challenge E will require refinement of ideas. Put another, we will test and retest structures. The structures that are built are placed in testing unit. Weights are applied to the testing unit until the structure fails. By “fail”, we mean that the structure that was built breaks.
For one valid structure that is ready to present at competition, your child’s team may create 5, 10 and even 100 structures that are tested and broken. To accomplish that goal, we will need wood, glue, and latex gloves.
At the time that this letter is being written, your child’s team has not selected the type of wood or glue that they will use. You cannot select the type of wood or dimensions of wood. You cannot select the type of glue either. Both the type of wood and glue are used in the challenge. This must be selected by the team and its members.
You can select the latex gloves. Latex gloves are used to protect your child. Latex gloves are not part of the challenge. You cannot interfere by selecting the latex gloves.
If you have any questions, we, Brad and Mike, are available to discuss the challenge and your child’s participation.
You can reach us at the following:
Brad Pope
Phone Number
Mike Burda
402.490.7890
We look forward to hearing from you.
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