Hello Everyone!
So far this year I have had very few posts on our Destination Imagination. It has been an amazing year, and I am very pleased to write about it after some of the busyness has died down.
Now, some of you might be wondering, "What is Destination Imagination (or DI)?"
I will give you a little overview of it. DI is an awesome group for kids ages 6-Highschool. They are composed of teams with up to seven people in each. Every team competes at Regionals, and if they pass Regionals they go onto States, and if they pass States they go on to Globals which is held in Tennessee. Our teams pick a challenge which can be a theatrical oriented, mechanical oriented, in between mechanical and theatrical oriented, or Improv! Every team writes a play that is eight minutes long (I wrote the play this year!) with some specifics for each challenge. Here are the different types:
Theatrical Oriented: Every team writes a play and you have to add something special to it, like creating a puppet, and a really creative script.
Mechanical Oriented: Teams write a play and created machines that have to do certain things. The first year we did DI our machines had to tie knots, pull the other machine, stack things, etc. etc.
Improv: Every team waits until the day of the tournament, and they find out THAT day what their challenge is going to be. For example, one team we watched got there and were told that they had to write a skit with absolutely nothing in five minutes. In the middle of the skit the judges (or appraisers) stopped them and pulled something out of a hat. This added a twist to the story. In this example the team had to have one person who danced for the rest of the play. Another one we watched the appraisers pulled out a paper that said: 'One person sings for the rest of the time.' Or it could be everyone has to sing for the rest of the skit. And sometimes the teams have to put on the skit in three minutes or less. This challenge we have not every done before- we'll have to try it sometime!
In Between Mechanical and Theatrical Challenge: This category is what we did this year. It is really fun because you have to build a machine, or some other type of prototype, etc. and also write a play and add special touches to it.
Our challenge was called the SOLAR STAGE. It was a scientific based challenge and it was really fun. We had to make a prototype of some new way to gather and use solar energy. We also had to write a story in which we incorporated facts about solar energy and how the people faced their problem and used solar energy in a new way. We also had to provide our own Theatrical Lighting. Sidetrips were also involved. Sidetrips or Team Choice Elements can be a musical piece, song, dance, artwork, team-built woodwork, etc. etc. Soon everyone is in dismay as it looks as if everyone won't make it!!! Then one single person learns the importance of preserving energy and going SOLAR, collecting just enough energy to save the world.
Our team choice elements were:
1. A wood-worked desk made by N and J two amazing team members
2. A song, written by myself :) and some choreography by Leo and A and H. ;)
N and J and Leo made the Orbiter (part 1 of our prototype) and I made two dresses, models of the all-in-onezie clothes on my sewing machine.
Our theatrical lighting was composed of one floodlight, one reading lamp, and one other focusing light. We also took Christmas tree lights and poked them through a black curtain, creating a starry night sky effect. Using colored plastic gels (kind of like cellophane paper) borrowed from the Capital Center for the Arts, we made the scenes change color. For example, with special lighting features we made the polka dots on one of the dresses change color :-o or disappear and appear again. :-O It was amazing! We had so much fun. Our lighting Techy was N. :-)
We made our backdrops stay up by Leo cutting pieces of PVC piping and connecting them. There were two six feet long pieces of piping on the sides connected to a seven foot piece on the top. On the bottom of the six foot long pieces we stuck two pieces of 2 1/2 ft. long piping to hold it up. Fastened with some duck tape this held up amazingly well.
To hang on the piping we painted some backdrops out of curtains which we later strung onto the top. The three backdrops were:
Galileo's Office- A black sheet with many holes tediously cut and strung through with Christmas lights and a single black sheet of construction paper that read: SUN WILL BLOW UP IN 2013 with a white marker in the form of stars. By: Stella, E, A, and J
Mad Scientist's Office: Polka dots, stripes, tons of paint and in a word modern artwork. ;) By: E, A, J, H, N
Reporter's Backdrop: Painting of a skyscraper with telescopes, cars, etc. (City scene)
By: H
We had a really fun skit and I will now post it below...
Hearts pounding the DI team hurriedly moved their props inside the prep area. Stella surveyed the audience.
"I'll be on this side, okay?" A tapped Stella's shoulder and snapped her out of her reverie.
"Okay."
"Hey, Stella?" N walked over. "My beard fell off." He grinned and held up the cottonball beard, hanging by a rubber band. Stella laughed and slipped it over his ears.
"Thanks!" The team frantically made last minute preparations as one of the appraisers walked over.
"Are you guys ready to introduce yourselves?" He fingered the sheets of paper, flipping through them and reading the skit summary.
"Ready as we'll ever be." E said cheerfully. She quickly grabbed the microphone that she had made and handed it to A who would start off the introductions.
"Let's give a big welcome today to the Lighthouse Homeschool Co-Op!" The appraiser went on to give a short challenge summary. Then he pointed to the team and nodded. "They will now introduce themselves."
"Hi!" A picked up the microphone. "My name is A and I play Sarah in the play."
"Hello, my name is Stella and I play Lea."
"Hello, my name is E and I play Misty."
"Hello, my name is N and I play Galileo."
"Hello, my name is H and I play Katie and the Reporter."
"Hello, my name is J and I play Long-Button Nose the Mad Scientist."
"Hello, my name is Leo and I play Mr. Huckins."
A nodded towards a seat in the front row. "And this is our amazing team manager, Mrs. L!" The audience clapped as the appraiser asked if the audience was ready.
"Yes!"
"Appraisers, are you ready? Team are you ready?"
"YES!!!"
"You may begin."
The team now rushed in a tizzy to move their supplies from the prep area into the challenge area.
"No, wait! That goes there. Oh no, where is my microphone? Where is the robe? What is my next line? Oh, you better get out there. Where is the light? There's the switch. Okay." In a frenzy the team finally finished getting ready. Stella flicked on the paper mache sun with a dimmer. Then, with a last flick of the floodlight, reading lamp, and garage light with its cardboard holder for the colored slide lighting, they were ready.
Leo walks across the stage with a sign that reads:
Galileo's Office: 1632
Galileo (mopcover wig w/ stuffing beard and black shirt) walks on to the scene, holding a telescope and taking a seat at his desk, homemade by the team. Facing the lit up backdrop he cries: "Oh my goodness!" The stars blink rapidly (aka the Christmas lights). He frantically scribbles something down on a scroll and slips it inside a secret panel in the back of the desk. The scene changes and another curtain slides along the piping. It shows the office of Long-Button Nose, Mad Scientist, 2013.
Leo walks across the stage with a sign that reads:
Long Button Nose=MAD!!! Scientist Study 2013.
Sarah, Lea (aka Stella) and Misty walk out with Kate trailing behind, not fitting in. (Sarah, Lea, and Misty: Duck tape skirts, tie die shirts, and leggings) (Kate: Black top with white undershirt and skirt)
Sarah: "I REALLY don't see why we have to go on this field trip."
Lea: "I know, I already know the sun is there and always will be: PERIOD!"
Misty nods in agreement and Kate hangs her head walking behind.
Mr. Huckins (aka Leo): "Hello, Girls." (He wears tie die shirt w/ red tie, jeans)
Sarah, Lea, Misty, Kate: "Hi, Mr. Huckins."
Mr. Huckins turns his back and says: "I'll take you to Mr. Long Button-Nose's Study. On the way I'll tell you a little bit about solar energy. Solar energy was used as early as 1830. Photovoltaic or PV devices convert sunlight into electricity. You can use solar energy to charge a watch battery, or a whole ACRE long power plant! It doesn't produce air pollutant...Girls?" He turns around. The whole time he is talking the girls are listening to the new 'TUNES' on a (handmade by the team) MP3 player and texting and dancing. Well, except for Kate who is listening very carefully.
Girls (except for Kate): "Oh, yes? Hi!"
Lea: "Like...Mr. Huckins? Are we almost at Mr. Whoever Nose's Office?"
Mr. Huckins: "Ah, yes! I could go on all DAY about solar energy!"
Sarah: "We wouldn't want that...WOULD WE...Mr. Huckins?"
Button-Nose rushes out almost shouting, "HELLO GALS! How are we today? So...I'm supposed to tell you what we don't ever even need to know for 10 GAZILLION YEARS! Well...any questions?" (He is garbed in a graduation robe with a many colored clown wig)
Misty: "Aren't you gonna, you know...teach us?"
Button-Nose: "QUUUESTIONS TEACH YA!"
Meanwhile Kate is in a corner, observing an antique desk, which happens to be Galileo's.
"What's this?" She asks, triggering the secret opening panel which pops open to reveal the hidden scroll.
Button-Nose: "Just a scroll. Don't ask questions...I uh, don't know what it is."
Kate: "What's this fine print on the bottom?"
Button-Nose: "I dunno. It's probably just...OH NO!!! OH NO!!!"
Everyone: "OH NO, WHAT?!"
Sarah: "NICE, Kate." Everyone leaves the scene. Kate takes off black over shirt and changes to a reporter. The scene changes to reveal the reporter backdrop and the Reporter walks out with a microphone.
Reporter: "This just in! World is in turmoil when some girl discovers a plaque from Galileo's time. Button-Nose notifies the world that the sun will blow up in a WEEK! Let's listen to the scientist and the girl's teacher." Button-Nose and Mr. Huckins walk on.
Button-Nose: "Hmm. Yes. Well. The sun is undergoing damage. Too much power in it to be exact. Solar energy power needs to be collected. Every single soul needs to help or the world will be WIPED OUT!"
Mr. Huckins: "How do you presume we will collect enough energy if the solar panels will not be enough?"
Button-Nose: "By THIS! A new invention by: ME!!! The top The top of the panel is treated so that it is electrically negative and the bottom part is positive. This causes the electrons in the silicon cells to be tapped loosed by the sun and the energy travels from the bottom to the top layer. When this passing through is happening, a circuit is created and the power is made. Then it can be used for WHATEVER you like. In the middle of the orbiter, this control box allows the energy to be passed wirelessly to the latest invention…the all-in-onezie clothes! Commercial soon." As he talks he points to the Orbiter, part 1 of the solar energy prototype.
Reporter: "So, everyone, GO SOLAR!!!"
Reporter comes back on with Lea and Sarah modeling the latest all-in-onezie clothes.
"Check out the new fab-fashion! You'll be the new fashion queen when you try on these new all-in-onezies."
Sarah: "One outfit, one future!"
Lea: "Powered with energy from Button-Nose's Orbiter. Just plug your outfit into your closet to charge up and VOILA! Wireless energy makes a new outfit appear. Voice-ACTIVATING."
Reporter: "From a warm summer's day," motioning to Lea, "to a cold winter's night." (The girls are modeling dresses. Lea wears a orange flowery sundress and Sarah wears a frilly wintery dress made by Stella.
Sarah: "These clothes also change shape, size, color and form."
Reporter: "So many uses for solar energy: try them out today."
Reporter comes in: "Two days later and forty degrees hotter the power is being captured. We have just to control the power for a week and the wave will be OVER!!! But we need everybody! Is everyone out there working?"
Sarah and Lea walk out onto the scene.
Sarah: "Here you go, Lea! These batteries are full."
Lea: "Thanks Sarah." Lea looks around. "Where's MISTY?"
Sarah: "Home and UN-believing. Ya know, I-for the first time:like EVER!!! feel pretty useful."
Lea: "Me too! This system is A-mazing! Maybe if Misty sees it she'll be more open to it?"
Misty walks onto the scene saying, "Hi guys!"
Sarah: "Hey come here."
Misty: "What?"
Sarah: "Check out the batteries."
Misty: "Those PUNY things?"
Lea: "Yup! They store the energy we collect. The solar cells themselves are tiny, but put together they can generate or collect a WHOLE lot of energy."
Sarah: "Look at this letter! I just got it from my aunt. She's relying ONLY on solar energy to power her WHOLE farm!"
Lea: "And look here! We can use these mirrors to focus on the solar cells and we can get even more energy out of that."
Misty looks up from her texting. "It's a lot of work."
Lea: "I know. But it feels GREAT to help the environment!"
Misty: "I'm still not sure." Lea and Sarah leave the stage with their hands up in dismay.
Reporter: "Last day to save energy. TORTURING HEAT! All help! We need EVERYONE!!! Phew."
Mr. Huckins: "Here girls! Oh good, Sarah! Another one filled, great!"
Sarah: "My word! It's HOT!"
Lea: "We've got to keep going."
Mr. Huckins: "We need a bit more. Oh no! The temperature is still rising!"
Sarah: "It's ALL OVER!!!" Everybody ducks down to the ground.
Lea: "What's happening?" The lighting changes to yellow from bright red.
Mr. Huckins: "It's less hot."
Sarah: "We did it."
Lea: "But how?"
Misty: "I'm here."
Entire Cast: "Misty?"
Misty: "I was thinking. Nothing was catchy about this whole thing till I read something from the newspaper:
'One person can make a big difference towards this whole catastrophe. We need YOU!!!'
I knew then that I-just silly old- ME could make a difference. And I guess I did."
Sarah: "Just in time too."
Button-Nose: "We're glad you're with us Misty...cause as I always say..."
Everyone lines up, Misty in front, then Button-Nose, then the Reporter, then Lea, then Huckins, then Sarah. Galileo walks down the front as everyone sings for the sidetrip:
"GALILEO WITH HIS SCOPE SAW NO RAY OF HOPE!!! AND TOOK A WHACK AT THIS HERE SCROLL!!!"
Button-Nose: "The sun was on a roll!!!"
Everyone: "Misty!" Misty comes forward. "Lea!" Lea comes forward. "Sarah too!" Sarah comes forward and does a flip.
Galileo: "If that's not a crew!"
Mr. Huckins: "The sun is comin' back."
Misty: "Now that there is a FACT!"
Sarah: "As a team we'll get things done and keep our sun on shinin'!"
Lea: "Cause if we don't we'll soon be pinin'."
Reporter: "Depending on this dear bright star we'll have to search afar."
Mr. Huckins: "And we won't give up cause as a team, our search will be a..."
Everyone: "DREAM! To reach our destination, we'll use our imagination!"
Misty: Working together we'll make decisions that will affect everyone for all of..."
Everyone: "TIME!!!"
Thunderous applause resounded through the room and the team bowed happily. The challenge had gone well, and they were all happy as a team. They would work together-they had-and they would continue to...
Rus also participated in a team called the Rising Stars. They did a phenomenal job on their challenge. They had to, completely by themselves, write a script that described the best toy in the world. They had to create a prototype of this toy and incorporate it into their skit. The little kids had so much fun. I pasted their script below:
Crazy Monkeys and Their Best Ever Toy Invention
Crazy Monkeys= CM (L and RA)
People = P (RE, M, and D )
Papa Monkey= PM (B)
Carpenter= C (Rus)
CM - L- “Look at those people down there, let’s go talk to them.”
(They climb down and walk towards the crowd of people)
CM- L-“We are going to make the best toy ever.” (Excited faces)
P- RE- “You crazy monkeys will never invent a toy!” (Sad faces)
P- M-“But….. You are GREAT at swinging in trees!” (Happy faces)
PM- B- “Come over here right now kids!” (Angry face- PM) (Scared faces-CM)
PM- B- “If you act like that again you will have to sit for 12 minutes.”
CM- L and RA- “We’re sorry dad, we just wanted to make the best toy ever that anybody ever made.” (Sad faces)
PM- B- “I’ll call the carpenter to invent the very best toy for you.”
PM- B- “Here’s lunch, a whole bunch of bananas for you, while I call the carpenter.”(Takes out homemade food by the kids, and a real bunch of bananas)
CM- L and RA- “Thank you Daddy.” (Happy faces)
(PM makes a phone call to the C)
C-Rus- “Hello, who’s this?”
PM- B- “This is Papa Monkey, would you invent the best toy ever for my kids?”
C- Rus- “If I have time.”
(They hang up.)
P- D- “Where did those crazy monkeys go? Oh well, let’s go shopping…” (Confused faces)
(People walk to town and the shops)
P- M- “Hey, look at that Carpenter’s shop! Let’s go in and look around.” (Curious faces)
C- Rus- “Today I will finish the best toy in the world….(Carpenter works on toy for a brief moment) , I’m finished!!! Now I can go back to work. Now I’m finished with the best toy in the world!” (Proud face)
(Makes phone call to Papa Monkey)
C-Rus- “Hello Papa Monkey, I have finished the Best Toy Ever Invented! Would you and your kids like to come see it?”
PM- B- “Yes, thank you, we’ll come over…. (hangs up phone) Hey kids, let’s go to town to do some errands.”
CM- L and RA- “Ooo, ooo, aahh, aahh (while making silly faces) Ok dad.”
( People enter the Carpenter’s shop)
(CM walk into Carpenter’s shop)
CM- L- “What errand are we doing here Dad?”
(Carpenter shows them the toy)
CM- L and RA- “Wow, that looks Mmmmm GOOD!” (Super Excited Faces!)
C- Rus- “Oh no, you can’t eat it!” (Concerned face)
P- D- “That’s just yellow paint, it’s not a real banana.”
C- Rus- “Do you crazy monkeys like the toy?”
CM- L and RA- “Yes we do, of course! Can we play with it?”
C-Rus- “Yes, as long as you take care of it and keep it with you and don’t lose it.”
(CM take the toy and try it out, sending it down the ramp)
CM- L and RA- “Thank you.”
P- D and M and RE- “Wow, it goes really fast!”
P- RE- “The fan is made of rubber bands, I never knew that.”
“Crazy Monkeys Song Finale”
There were some monkeys had a toy,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, Aaaaaah
Some people said they couldn’t do it,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, Aaaaaah
The monkeys they were very sad,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, Aaaaaah
The carpenter, he built their toy,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, Aaaaaah
And that toy, they played with it
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, Aaaaaah
Everyone started to DANCE!!!
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Aaaaaaaah……!!!!
Everyone, on says… “WOW, THAT’S THE BEST TOY EVER THAT ANYONE EVER MADE!”
So, that about wraps up our challenge. We had so much fun at Regionals and did many fun activities: one being a cakewalk. A cakewalk is sort of like musical chairs where everyone gets in a circle and stands on a number. The difference is that there is one number for everybody. Then they all go in a circle and when the music stops they stop on their number. Some numbers are picked and if you are on it you win a cake, or some other DELICIOUS baked good. It is so much fun. This past Regionals I won my first cake.
Actually: our whole team won...ready for this?
18 CAKES!!!
Isn't that crazy? Leo, Dad and I won 7 cakes. It was really fun!!!
DI is such an amazing program, and one that everybody should take part in!!! I want to wrap up this post by saying,
"Thank you to my whole team and my amazing team manager. We had a wonderful journey together this year. Three cheers for DI!"
Think of the first word that comes to mind when you hear: Easter.
Supplies:
(This is a picture of the almost finished product! The grass seeds hadn't quite grown completely yet.) :-)
LACING!!!
