Students for a Creative Iowa

Overview

The Des Moines Art Center is pleased to announce that, in collaboration with the Iowa Architectural Foundation, it will once more offer an “Ideal Object Workshop” this summer. The 2008 Ideal Object Workshop builds on the success of the 2007 Ideal Object Workshop (see last article in newsletter), which was inspired by the work of artist Tom Sachs and his interest in manipulating real tools, toys, and domestic machines to create objects that function exactly the way he wishes them to, often performing in new or enhanced ways. While innovation continues to be at the center of this program, this year the Ideal Object Workshop will look to the Art Center’s exhibition, World Histories, for inspiration.

World Histories will be on view at the Art Center from May 16 to August 31, 2008. The eleven artists included in this show are from all over the globe and represent the forefront of the international contemporary art scene. They each make artworks inspired by the different regions of the world they grew up in, as well as the various countries they have seen as both aspiring and professional artists.

This summer, Iowa’s Destination ImagiNation teams will be challenged to create innovative and functional “ideal objects” for a room in a modern-day, middle-class home from one of the countries represented by an artist in World Histories: Indonesia, Guatemala, Japan, New Zealand, Iceland, or Ghana. Six teams of 4 to 7 students each in grades 6-12 (or students who will be in 6th grade in fall 2008) from all around the state will be accepted to this program based on their completion of a designated Instant Challenge. In an effort to maximize success, teams will participate in a two-day skill-building conference and be given a budget of $600 from which to build their objects. An architect will be assigned to each team to serve as that team’s client and mentor. Each team’s object will address three specific criteria as requested by their client.

Selected Team Managers will be paid an honorarium of $300 at the conclusion of the workshop for their efforts. Additionally, two hotel rooms per team will be paid for by the Ideal Object Workshop.

Des Moines Art Center Objectives

1. Introduce students to contemporary art, design, and architecture via the Art Center’s permanent collection and exhibition, World Histories.
2. Produce a workshop that focuses on creative problem-solving and teamwork.
3. Create a learning environment based on envisioning (guiding students through the process of imagining an abstract idea, to putting the idea into visual form, and finally realizing the concept in three dimensions).
4. Demonstrate positive and productive collaboration methods.

Iowa Architectural Foundation Objectives

1. Understand how “found” objects can be combined in different ways, using different materials (architectonics).
2. Understand the difference between “art” and “architecture”. Can something be both?
3. Understand how to work with a client (owner), and also how to think like an owner.
4. Understand the difference between “design” and “construction.”

Important Dates

• Saturday, June 21, 12 – 5 pm: Ideal Object Skill-Building Conference at Des Moines Art Center
• Sunday, June 22, 10 am – 1 pm: Ideal Object Skill-Building Conference at Des Moines Art Center
• June 23 – August 23: Teams work on Ideal Objects on own schedule
• Saturday, August 23, 10 am – 1 pm: Delivery/Installation of Ideal Objects to Des Moines Art Center
• Sunday, August 24, 1 – 4 pm: Ideal Object Reception at Des Moines Art Center
• August 24 – September 24, Ideal Object Exhibition, Adrienne and Charles Herbert Galleries of the Des Moines Art Center
• September 25 – 26, Ideal Object Exhibition, American Institute of Architects Convention, Polk County Convention Complex
• Friday, September 26, 9 am – 12 pm: Ideal Objects retrieved by team managers from the Polk County Convention Complex

How to Apply

The Des Moines Art Center, together with the Iowa Architectural Foundation, will select 6 Destination ImagiNation teams from Iowa to participate in The Ideal Object Workshop this summer. Selected teams will participate in a fun skill-building conference June 21-22, and then have nine weeks to create their own “ideal object.”

Teams will be selected to participate based on how they solve an Instant Challenge. Interested teams should contact Judy Nolan (judynolan@aol.com) to request the designated challenge and application form. The Team Manager of Record is responsible for facilitating a meeting with his or her team and presenting the team with this challenge. Each team must digitally document the completion of the task and the testing of their solution. This documentation will serve as the basis for the team invitations. Solutions must be submitted on DVD no later than Friday, May 16, 2008.

All Team Managers will be notified of their acceptance to the workshop by Friday, May 30, 2008.

Clarifications

As teams polish their scripts and refine their solutions for the regional Tournaments in March, you need to remind them to read and re-read the Challenge, and then to read it again. Your team is responsible for knowing all of the rules, and for reading and following all of the Published Clarifications, and (of course) for solving the Challenge. Team Managers, repeat to yourself this mantra, “This is not my Challenge; this is not my Challenge!” Published Clarifications supercede the Team Challenge rules, and Team Challenge rules supercede Rules of the Road. Where do you find Clarifications? Visit www.idodi.org and click on Clarifications.

What do you do if your team doesn’t understand an aspect of the Challenge? See Question #7 under “General information for all competitive teams” below.

Site restrictions

Please note that there is a zero tolerance weapons policy in effect at both regional tournaments. This means that no weapons, real or facsimile, may be brought to the site. Dry ice and helium balloons are allowed as long as appropriate safety precautions are followed, as outlined in Rules of the Road. Dry ice must be handled correctly. Helium balloons must remain under control at all times. If you have questions about site restrictions, contact the Tournament Director.

Site procedures for your Challenge

If you are new to the Destination ImagiNation program, you will find the TravelGuide for Teams extremely helpful. This guide explains, step by step, what occurs at each Challenge site (including Instant Challenge), how scoring works and what may or may not be appealed, awards, and much more. Visit www.idodi.org to download this guide.

General information for all competitive teams

1. What paperwork does the team need to bring to the Tournament?

• Please note that in addition to PAPER copies of the tournament forms within the official Program Materials, you can download interactive tournament forms from www.idodi.org.
• Check in at Registration before you go to your Team Challenge site. This is very important!
• Bring at least 2 photocopies of the Declaration of Independence. One copy will be turned in before you compete in your Team Challenge, while the other one will be turned in before you compete in Instant Chalenge. Do NOT turn in both copies at the same location! If you have team members who have moved away or have dropped off the team, just write these individuals’ names on the form with an explanation in place of the signature. The Declaration of Independence may be found on page 45 of Rules of the Road.
• Bring 5 photocopies of the Tournament Data Form, which can be found at the end of every Team Challenge. Team members–not Team Managers–are responsible for completing this form. Younger teams may be assisted by Team Managers as long as the Team Manager writes down the exact words spoken by team members.
• Bring 1 photocopy (not your original!) of the Expense Report, as well as copies of your receipts and evidence of research about rental costs in case there are questions about your Expense Report. The Expense Report may be found on page 44 of Rules of the Road. Not sure what is exempt or how to complete this form? Read pages 19-21.
• Bring a photocopy of any response(s) the team has received for Clarification requests. These will be turned in to the Prep Area Appraiser prior to competing in the Team Challenge.
• Bring one Medical Information form for each team member in case of a medical emergency. This form will not be collected by anyone, but will be retained by the Team Manager. You can download a generic form from: http://www.cre8iowa.org/Generic%20Medical%20Form.pdf

2. When will the schedule be posted?

• The schedule will be posted one to two weeks before competition. Just visit www.cre8iowa.org and click on Competitions. Scheduling issues need to be brought to the attention of Deanna Jens at djensiowadi@aol.com as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days before the regional tournament.
• State tournament competition times are provided to team managers at closing ceremonies at the same time that advancing teams are awarded their regional medals. If you know now about a possible conflict, you need to notify Deanna Jens at djensiowadi@aol.com no later than Feb. 25.

3. How many team members are required to participate at Tournament?

• Encourage all of your team members who are available to participate, both in the Team Challenge and in Instant Challenge. It is not to your advantage to compete with fewer team members. However, if everyone is not available, two participants is the minimum that is required. Team members who “sit out” during the Team Challenge will be seated with the Team Manager(s) and may not communicate in any way with team members, or else this will be construed as Interference. Team members who choose not to participate in Instant Challenge may accompany the team into theInstant Challenge room if they desire, but may not communicate with team members in any way, or else this will be construed as Interference. Team members must decide ahead of time whether they will participate in Instant Challenge.

4. Conduct concerns:

• During the time that teams are not competing, they need to be accompanied by an adult. Please be aware that classes or other activities may be taking place at the same time teams are there, so it is important to be quiet in the hallways and respectful of other people’s needs.
• There is no dumping of Challenge materials on the Tournament site unless a team has secured approval. Teams that discard any part of their Challenge solution at the Tournament site may receive an Unsportsmanlike Conduct deduction.
• There is a zero tolerance policy in place at both regional tournaments for props that represent guns, knives or bombs.

5. Interference issues:

• As students prepare for competition, it is important that they learn skills that will help them figure out how to solve their Challenge. However, to avoid Interference, Team Managers or other adults need to talk about/teach skills in a context that is different from any part of the team’s solution. For example, if a team needs to learn how to use power tools or how to sew, the team needs to practice these skills on something other than their solution. Demonstrations follow this same rule.
• It is Interference for team members to talk to the audience (or to Appraisers) during their Team Challenge. This makes the audience or the Appraisers part of the team.
• Props must be created by team members, not by adults! If repairs must be made at the Tournament site, it is Interference for adults to repair props, fix costumes or apply makeup. Ahead of time, teams should brainstorm a list of items that might be useful to include in an emergency tool kit.

6. What is the procedure to be followed if a team or Team Manager has concerns about what happened at the Team Challenge site?

• Approximately 30 minutes after the team’s performance, one adult (usually the Team Manager) and one team member may pick up raw scores from the Head Appraiser. Please do NOT interrupt a team that is performing! If you have concerns or questions about the objective portion of these raw scores, you have 30 minutes to address them. The correct procedure is to approach the Head Appraiser first for clarification. If you do not feel your questions have been adequately addressed, you may then approach the Challenge Master. If you still have concerns, you may take them to a DIalogue team consisting of at least 3 people, one of whom is the Regional Director or Affiliate Director. A final decision will be made at this point. Instant Challenge scores may not be appealed, as appraising for this part of the competition is subjective. Remember: Only objective scores may be appealed.

7. If my team has questions about its Challenge, who can answer them?

• Your team has until midnight, Pacific Standard Time (2:00 a.m in Iowa) on February 15 to submit Clarification questions to the International Challenge Masters (ICMs), the writers of the Challenges. Teams should be involved in this process! Just visit www.idodi.org and click on Clarifications. Each team is allowed to ask up to 10 questions, one question at a time. Allow several business days for a response, as questions go through several stages of review. In most instances, the ICMs will point your team to a specific page, section and paragraph to help team members gain a better understanding of the Challenge. It is all teams’ responsibility to check the Clarifications site on a regular basis, but also for a few weeks after February 15, for any general Clarifications that may have been published. Clarifications of any kind supercede the Team Challenge rules. Currently there are general Clarifications that have been published for almost every Team Challenge.
• If your team advances beyond the state Tournament, be aware that Global Finals Clarifications are often published up to the time of the Global Finals Tournament and are posted at www.globalfinals.org.

8. Can teams change their solution between the regional and state level of competition?

• Absolutely! It is encouraged and expected that teams will triple their level of sophistication between the regional and state level of competition. Treat the regional tournament as a trial run, gathering as much information as possible to prepare for success at the state level of competition. Watch other teams perform, then fine tune your own solution.

9. Is there anyone in Iowa that I can talk to about team or tournament issues?

• Please direct your questions to Judy Nolan at judynolan@aol.com. If she cannot answer your questions herself, she will direct them to the appropriate individual(s). Solution-specific questions, however, need to be submitted as Clarification requests to www.idodi.org (click on Clarifications).

Happy New Year!

This blog and the Instant Challenge Library took a little breather during December, while workshops were being held and the holidays were upon us. It was great to meet so many of the Team Managers and Coordinators in one place at the two training workshops . . . and it will be nice to meet your teams at the Instant Challenger workshop this Saturday. At the present time, 32 teams are taking advantage of the opportunity to learn about Making Materials Work, Task-Based Instant Challenge, Principles of Performance: Improvisation, and Performance-Based Instant Challenge.

With January upon us, I know that teams are now meeting more regularly and for longer periods of time, in order to make progress toward their goals. A word about goals: Remind your teams that their goals should fall in the areas of Teamwork, Creativity and Problem-Solving, not just competition. Every team (not the Team Managers) should set its own goals, and every team should work at its own pace, not the pace set by adults. In other words, whatever gets done by the day of the tournament is whatever gets done! That’s part of the learning process. That being said, however, many teams will have written a script by the end of the month.

Tournament registration deadline approaches

January is Iowa Tournament registration time. I have already received some of your registration forms and fees, but expect most of you will mail in your paperwork close to the postmark deadline, January 18. After this date, tournament fees will double. If this is the first year in which you are participating, please note that Iowa tournament registration and your international membership are not the same thing. When you purchase an international membership, that gives your team the right to use the program materials; when you register for Iowa tournaments, that gives your team the right to participate at an Iowa Regional Tournament. You pay the tournament fee once; if your team advances to the State Tournament, you do not pay an additional fee. Competitive teams pay a $60 tournament fee, and non-competitive teams (Rising Stars) pay a $40 tournament fee.

The Western Regional Tournament takes place on March 1 at Kuemper Catholic Schools in Carroll, while the Eastern Regional Tournament takes place on March 15 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. Your team is not assigned to a specific tournament; you may select the tournament site that works best for you. Any special requests should be noted on the tournament registration paperwork (such as scheduling issues or medical concerns). Sometimes the entire team is not available for the tournament, which is not a problem as long as the team problem-solves for this situation (good for any team to do, since you never know if someone is going to develop strep throat the night before the tournament!). Minimum size for a team is 2 members; maximum size is 7 members.

Visit the State Web site and click on Iowa Registration to complete and print the registration forms. Then, follow the directions and mail in your paperwork. Your Appraiser will also need to complete some of this paperwork, and to bring it to Appraiser Training.

Appraiser information

Who makes the best Appraiser? People who enjoy young people and their sense of humor . . . people who are willing to dedicate one full day of Training, one full day at a Regional Tournament, and are able to serve one full day at the State Tournament if the team they represent advances are those who make the best Appraisers. Often a parent, teacher, neighbor, co-worker or senior citizen will be interested. Appraisers need to be at least 18 years and may not be a team member. If you provide the willing spirit, we’ll provide the training!

Every competitive team must supply one certified Appraiser. Certification involves (1) attending one full day of Appraiser Training, and (2) serving at the Regional Tournament where the team competes. Teams without Appraisers are allowed to perform at the Regional Tournament, but may not advance to the next level of competition. Appraisers serve at a Challenge site, and are not able to take the time to watch the team they represent. Please note that child care is not available, so please do not bring a young child with you either to Appraiser Training or to the Challenge site where you are volunteering.

Non-competitive teams must supply one volunteer who will serve in a non-scoring role. Often this will be at the sales and registration table, which is where this volunteer needs to report as early as possible on the day of the Regional Tournament. This volunteer will serve a shift, and will be able to take time to watch the team he or she represents. However, as is also true with Appraisers, young children should be left with another adult, as no child care is available. Rising Stars volunteers do not need to attend Appraiser Training.

Appraisers must select and attend one of three different training dates, all of which take place on a Saturday:

• Feb. 2 at Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll
• Feb. 9 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids
• Feb. 16 at Ames Middle School in Ames

Appraisers need to check in and register between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. on the day of training, and the training itself runs 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Two slices of pizza and a drink can be purchased for lunch by Appraisers when they check in; cost is $5. Suggestion: Covering this cost is a nice way for teams to thank the Appraiser who is representing them.

Clarifications reminder

Make sure you you are up-to-date about the rules by checking for Challenge Clarifications every week. Assign this job to a team member. Visit IDODI and click on the Clarifications link at the top of the page. Published Clarifications supercede all other rules! Teams may submit up to 10 Clarification Requests (one at a time) anytime before midnight, February 15, by visiting the same Web site. Your Challenge questions are answered via email by the International Challenge Masters who wrote the Challenges, so take advantage of this opportunity for clarification.

Team building ideas

Many of you learned, at the recent Team Manager and Coordinator Training Workshops, about the importance of team building activities at every single team meeting. Team building activities often consist of short warm-ups or ice breakers, board games, informal get-togethers (such as bowling, movie night, sleepovers and the like), and improvisational practice. All team building activities should be FUN! When team members are unfocused, tired, or cranky, you probably need to invest more time in team building. Here are a few books (available online from your favorite bookseller) that contain lots of team building ideas. You’ll notice that many of them are drama-related–a very important source of team building activities. Some of these books will be available for purchase at the Instant Challenger workshop:

• 101 More Drama Games for Children: New Fun and Learning With Acting and Make-Believe, by Paul Rooyackers
• 104 Activities That Build: Self-Esteem, Teamwork, Communication, Anger Management, Self-Discovery, Coping Skills, by Alanna Jones
• Break a Leg! The Kids’ Guide to Acting & Stagecraft, by Lise Friedman
• Improvisation: Use what you know–make up what you don’t! 2nd Edition, by Brad Newton
• Kids Take the Stage: Helping Young People Discover the Creative Outlet of Theater, by Lenka Peterson & Dan O’Connor
• More Team-Building Activities for Every Group, by Alanna Jones
• On Stage: Theater Games and Activities for Kids, by Lisa Bany-Winters
• Team-Building Activities for Every Group, by Alanna Jones
• Team Challenges: 170+ Group Activities to Build Cooperation, Communication, and Creativity, by Kris Bordessa
• Theatre Games for Young Performers: Improvisations & Exercises for Developing Acting Skills, by Maria C. Novelly

Tournament paperwork

Teams need to bring with them a set of tournament forms that are not only available in the program materials, but may also be downloaded from IDODI by clicking on Interactive Tournament Data Forms. “Interactive” refers to the fact that you can complete the forms on the computer (thus making them more legible), then print them.

Who should complete the tournament forms? The team is required to complete the forms as part of its learning experience. That being said, elementary teams will likely need some assistance. Team Managers may complete the forms IF they write or type verbatim what team members say. When it comes to the Expense Report, elementary teams often do not have the math skills to calculate the cost, but they can certainly point (for example) to the amount of paint they think they used from a can, and then the Team Manager can help with the calculation. See pages 19-21 in Rules of the Road for a detailed discussion of how to calculate expenses, and what items are exempt.

Please note that the forms you bring to the tournament should be copies, not originals, as you will need one complete set at every tournament. Paperwork requirements are as follows:

Declaration of Independence (2 copies): One for the Team Challenge, and one for Instant Challenge. Include all team members, even those who are absent or have dropped off the team.

Tournament Data Form (5 copies): All copies are given to the Prep Area Appraiser, who then passes on this paperwork to the Appraisal Team prior to your team’s performance.

Expense Report (1 copy): This is given to the Prep Area Appraiser prior to competition. Bring your receipts with you as well, in case you need to clarify expenses. Make sure these receipts are photocopies, since this paperwork is not returned to you.

Medical Form (1 copy per student): In a medical emergency, students who are not accompanied by their parents cannot be treated without some kind of permission form and related medical information. Please bring a Generic Medical Form (or your own form) for each student on the team. This paperwork will be retained by the Team Manager in case of a medical emergency.

More information will be posted this month about the tournament, so re-visit this blog!

Program versus process

Every year, at the end of the tournament season, I encounter teams and adults who are disappointed about how teams place at the tournament. For me this underscores the value in knowing the difference between the Destination ImagiNation® program and the creative problem-solving process. Destination ImagiNation® is one of many different kinds of organized approaches to creative problem-solving, while creative problem-solving itself is essentially a set of learning steps that involve teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.

The Destination ImagiNation® program truly believes that evaluation is an important part of the creative problem-solving process, so part of that evaluation takes place during competition, when adults are scoring teams. But that is only part of the story. The other evaluation that should take place is self-evaluation. This is only possible if teams set goals other than just competition. At the beginning of the program year, all teams should set goals for teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. At the end of the year, when the team celebrates the season (whether the team competes or not), team members can evaluate their progress against the goals they have set.

Possible teamwork goals might be getting to know each other, having FUN together outside of team meetings, or encouraging a shy team member to be brave enough to perform during an Instant Challenge. Creativity goals might include using recycled materials, using a mechanical solution in a performance-based Challenge, or learning how to sew in order to be able to design creative costumes. Problem-solving goals could include learning different Creative Problem Solving (CPS) tools, such as Attribute Listing, Brainwriting, Evaluation Matrix, and more.

In other words, if your team sets only one goal (to earn a trophy during competition, for example) and then does not achieve that goal, it is setting itself up for disappointment. Teams need to set multiple goals so that when they evaluate themselves at the end of the program year, they are likely to have achieved success in multiple areas. Team Managers need to be very careful not to set these goals for the students, but to empower them to take ownership of the creative problem-solving process by setting their own goals and evaluating themselves!

The first phase of the Pin & Shirt DIsign Contest, Student Voting, has concluded, with tallies listed below. Phase 2 of the selection process consists of our Affiliate Board looking at the most popular DIsigns and making a final decision. Students for a Creative Iowa retains the right to use any of these DIsigns in the future.

Thank you to all DIsigners for sharing your creativity with us!

DIsign 1 – 11 votes
DIsign 2 – 4 votes
DIsign 4 – 4 votes
DIsign 5 – 2 votes
DIsign 6 – 1 vote
DIsign 7 – 1 vote
DIsigns 5,6,7 (connected) – 1 vote
DIsign 3 – 0 votes

Challenges released on September 1

Participants waiting for the 2007-08 Challenges need go no further than ShopDI, where they can purchase a membership. The Challenges were released at midnight on September 1 and include the following:

• Challenge A: Obstacles, Of Course!
• Challenge B: Hit or Myth
• Challenge C: DI’ve Got a Secret!
• Challenge D: Chorific!
• Challenge E: SWITCH!
• Rising Stars!®: TwisDId History!

You can read more about the Team Challenges on the IDODI site.

How to purchase a membership

Not sure whether you should recruit a team first and then purchase a membership? Purchase a membership first and then recruit team members? Either method works.

If you represent a school or recognized local youth organization such as Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts, 4-H or PTA/PTO group, you can begin with a single membership for $110 and upgrade later to a 5-pack for $225, or you can purchase a 5-pack right away. Teams that are not affiliated with a school or local youth organization can sponsor themselves (such as a group of parents splitting the cost), or seek a sponsor, such as a local business, church group or individual benefactor.

Begin the online process by visiting ShopDI, where you will click the Purchase Your Membership button in the upper right corner of the screen. Then, just follow the directions on each screen, making sure you print a copy of the information when you are prompted to do so. Payment may be made by credit card, purchase order or check. When payment is verified, you can download the program materials right away! Please note that if you are submitting a purchase order, you will be reminded to fax or mail in your purchase order afterward. Make sure that the purchase order number is visible, and that the form is signed.

Rising Stars!® memberships

If you are purchasing a non-competitive membership for primary-age children (ages 4 to 7), you will wish to have a Rising Stars!® membership. This membership can be part of a 5-pack, but if you have already filled your 5-pack with competitive teams, you can purchase a separate Rising Stars!® membership for $30, which comes with a $30 coupon that can be used toward the purchase of a Rising Stars!® Creativity in a Box Program Kit. That’s almost like getting the membership for free! The Rising Stars!® Program Kit may also be purchased separately, and includes this year’s Rising Stars!® Challenge, TwisDId History! Although primary teams are not required to showcase their solution at a Tournament, if you wish to do so, you will need to have an active membership number, which comes with your single membership, 5-pack membership, or current Rising Stars!® Program Kit.

What your membership includes

Your membership includes a membership number (112-XXXXX) that identifies your team, provides full access to all program materials from the Resources Area of IDODI, and includes one printed set of materials and one CD that are shipped to you. The printed materials include:

• Rules of the Road
• Team Challenges
• Instant Challenges
• Team Manager Guide
• Charting Your Course
• Coordinator Guide
• Parent Guide
• Connecting the Standards
• List of Affiliate Directors

The above set of 2007-08 program materials, as well as dozens of additional resources, are available for download from IDODI (click on Resources Area) once you have purchased your membership.

If you purchase a Rising Stars!® Creativity in a Box Program Kit, your kit includes:

• Team Challenge
• Star Gazer’s Guide: adult facilitator guide designed to teach you how to use this kit
• Tool Kit including an assortment of creative problem-solving strategies for primary teams
• 5 STARt-up activities (similar to Instant Challenge)
• 5 Curriculum Lessons designed to increase your team’s skills through literature-based activities

Where to find support

Official Iowa support resources include the state Web site, this support newsletter, and an Instant Challenge Library (NEW this year). By coming to Team Manager & Coordinator Training, you can take advantage of resource books, kits and CDs that are available for purchase. Free Instant Challenges written by Iowa volunteers are added every month to the cre8iowa Instant Challenge Library. You can locate additional free resources by checking out the Affiliate List. And, of course, you can purchase useful books and kits from ShopDI.

Recruiting Kit is available upon request

Are you preparing an information meeting for prospective team members? Introducing your school or group to the Destination ImagiNation® program? Trying to interest a business or community organization in sponsoring your membership? Then get help now by requesting your cre8iowa Recruiting Kit today! The kit is customized with Iowa-specific details that include:

• Background program information
• Visual presentations
• Materials for organizing your meeting
• Sample advertising tools
• Sample activities

E-mail your request TODAY to: judynolan@aol.com

Instant Challenge Library is introduced

Check out the side bar to the right, and you will notice a link for cre8iowa’s Instant Challenge Library, new this year. When you visit the Library, you’ll find free Instant Challenges that were written by Iowa student and adult volunteers. New Task-Based and Performance-Based Instant Challenges will be added every month, extending the set of 9 practice problems that are included with your official program materials.

Iowa program calendar

Add these dates to your calendar today. More information will be provided as the program season continues.

Nov. 10, 2007 – Team Manager & Coordinator Training in Ames
Dec. 1, 2007 – Team Manager & Coordinator Training in Ames
Jan. 12, 2008 – Instant Challenger Team Workshop in Ames
Jan. 18, 2008 – Iowa Tournament postmark registration deadline
Feb. 2, 2008 – Appraiser Training in Carroll
Feb. 9, 2008 – Appraiser Training in Cedar Rapids
Feb. 16, 2008 – Appraiser Training in central Iowa
Mar. 1, 2008 – Western Regional Tournament in Carroll
Mar. 15, 2008 – Eastern Regional Tournament in Cedar Rapids
April 5 or March 29 – State Tournament in central Iowa, date & location TBD
May 21-24, 2008 – Global Finals Tournament at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Team Manager & Coordinator Training to be centralized this year

Registration for the first training of the season will begin soon. Details will be reported in the next issue of this newsletter. If you are a Team Manager, Coordinator, or just want to learn more about the program, you will want to add either Saturday, November 10 or Saturday, December 1 to your calendar. There are a few changes to the training format this year, as follows:

• There will be only two Team Manager & Coordinator trainings that are offered, both of them in the central part of the state at Ames Middle School. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required (as usual) to guarantee that participant materials will be waiting for you.
• The training fee, as in past years, is $20. You and your co-manager may attend for a single $20 fee. We want to encourage both of you to expand your skill sets!
• Cafeteria-style offerings have been expanded so that both newcomers and returning participants to the Destination ImagiNation® program will have a broad menu from which to choose. Each participant will select three 55-minute sessions in the morning, and three 55-minute sessions in the afternoon. If your schedule does not permit you to attend the entire day, then come for the morning only. You can leave during the lunch hour, when you are least likely to disrupt a training session. Leaving early is not recommended for new participants, but obviously it’s better to attend a partial day of training than not at all.
• All training attendees will participate in a morning session called “What is Creativity?” Then participants will go to 5 breakout sessions according to their experience levels for the rest of the day. Some sessions are required or recommended for new participants, while others are targeted to returning ones. Experienced participants may select any session that is offered.
• The ICN Tournament Prep Q&A Session that is typically offered during January has been discontinued, but the same subject matter is covered during Team Manager & Coordinator Training.
• A “Lunch With Your Buddy” program will be offered at Team Manager & Coordinator Training. If you wish to sign up for this optional program, new participants will be matched up with an experienced participant over lunch, and have the opportunity to continue this acquaintance during the program year. Interested participants will also receive a free Instant Challenge kit.

Many of the training topics change every year. Below is a list of this year’s offerings:

1. What is Creativity?
2. Overview of Program for Competitive Teams
3. Overview of Program for Rising Stars!® Teams
4. Facilitating a Brainstorming Session Using CPS Tools
5. Primary Through Middle Level Teams: How to Facilitate Effectively
6. Secondary Team Issues, How to Solve Them, and the Role of the Team Manager
7. The Effective Coordinator: Recruiting, Assisting Team Managers, Assessing Goals, Celebrations
8. Designing Your Own Instant Challenges Using Materials On Hand and the Attribute Listing, Force-Fitting and Morphological Matrix Tools
9. Team Building & Warm-Up Activities
10. Story Time: Storyboarding & Writing an 8-Minute Script
11. Breaking Through the Wall: Learn About the Importance of Setting Goals and How Your Team Can Overcome Obstacles
12. Facilitating Task-Based and Performance-Based Instant Challenges
13. Improv-able Possibilities: Improvisational Activities to Rev Up Your Team’s Imagination
14. Get Smart About Charting Your Course: How to Teach Your Team CPS Skills, Provide Team Challenge Tips, and Avoid Interference
15. Tournament Procedures: Paperwork Requirements, Who’s Who, Scoring, Deductions, the DIalogue Process
16. Technically Speaking: Teaching Your Team About Simple Machines
17. Decision-Making Without Tears: How to Facilitate Decision-Making Using CPS Tools

Reminder about Pin & Shirt DIsign Contest

Iowa students (K-12) participating in Destination ImagiNation® this year are challenged to develop DIsigns for Iowa’s official pin and T-shirt. Students or student teams who produce the winning entry or entries will receive a pin and T-shirt incorporating the DIsign(s), and will be recognized by the state Board. The deadline for entry is September 30, and students can vote online for their favorite DIsigns in October. Check out the rules at: Pin & Shirt DIsign Contest, or see the August 21st support newsletter.

Highlights of next issue

• Registration details about Team Manager & Coordinator Training
• Information about DISC Scholarship for high school seniors and college students
• What to do during the first team meetings