This Spotlight report identifies powerful, scalable innovations from around the world that are reimagining what learning can look like when it truly centers on students—their interests, needs, and individual growth. Alongside this recognition, DI has also received the prestigious STAR Endorsement from Montessori Global Education, further affirming the impact of our learner-driven approach.

These dual recognitions showcase the global relevance and quality of DI’s work—and we are honored to share this milestone with a vibrant community of educational changemakers who believe that when we trust children with their own learning, extraordinary things happen.

Championing Child-Centered Learning

The HundrED Spotlight celebrates educational models that reflect key elements often associated with Montessori-inspired approaches, such as student choice, hands-on engagement, and the development of independence and curiosity. Destination Imagination is honored to be recognized among the fourteen selected innovations that demonstrate how child-centered learning can be effectively implemented across diverse contexts.

At DI, our mission has always been rooted in the belief that students thrive when they are given the freedom to lead, create, and collaborate. Through our Challenge Experience, young learners work in teams to solve open-ended problems using our Creative Process—a structured method that guides students through the stages of recognizing challenges, imagining solutions, initiating action, and evaluating outcomes. This process nurtures creativity, perseverance, and critical thinking while helping students learn how to approach complex problems with confidence and collaboration.

Recognized with the STAR Endorsement

We’re also proud to share that Destination Imagination has received the STAR Endorsement from Montessori Global Education, a distinction awarded to programs that demonstrate excellence in innovation, learner-focus, and relevance in today’s educational landscape.

This recognition affirms that DI offers high-quality, student-centered learning experiences that align with the values of global, future-ready education. It reinforces our commitment to empowering young learners to explore, create, and lead through hands-on, meaningful learning.

More than just an accolade, the STAR Endorsement reflects the trust and confidence educational communities place in DI as a proven, impactful model for developing essential 21st-century skills in students around the world.

Elevating Learner Agency

The Spotlight raises powerful questions about modern education: “How can learner agency be placed at the forefront of every learning experience?” and “How do child-driven approaches support each student’s unique journey?”

At Destination Imagination, we believe deeply in student agency. That’s why we empower students to take charge of their own learning, supported by a wide range of adult mentors—educators, parents, or volunteers—who serve as Team Managers and act as facilitators rather than directors. One of the core pillars of our Challenge Experience is that students work completely independently—Team Managers (our version of adult guides) are not allowed to contribute ideas or help with the solution process. This approach ensures that the ideas, decisions, and solutions come entirely from the students themselves. This approach reflects a deep respect for each child’s individual path, interests, and strengths. It also builds essential life skills—like self-confidence, creative problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork—that are critical for success in an unpredictable and ever-changing world. By navigating challenges on their own terms, students learn not just content, but how to think, adapt, and lead.

HundrED’s report distinguishes between schooling and education, advocating for a more flexible, lifelong view of learning—one that aligns with our project-based, student-led model. We believe meaningful learning flourishes when students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and explore their world with curiosity and courage—complementing and enriching the great work already happening in classrooms around the globe.

Overcoming Barriers, Expanding Access

As highlighted in the Spotlight, child-centered practices often face barriers such as resistance to change, systemic inflexibility, and limited resources. Destination Imagination offers a pathway forward—an adaptable, scalable model that equips both students and educators with tools to thrive in learner-driven environments.

With supportive frameworks and hands-on experiences, we help schools and communities complement curriculum standards with rich, hands-on experiences that nurture essential future-ready skills—by preparing children to be future-ready innovators and leaders.

Looking Ahead

These dual recognitions from HundrED and Montessori Global Education are powerful affirmations of the work we do every day. We are deeply grateful to the educators, volunteers, families, and most importantly, the students who make Destination Imagination what it is.

Together, we are proving that when we trust students to lead their learning, they will lead us into a better future.

Read the full report here: HundrED Spotlight on Child-Centered Learning
Learn more about STAR Endorsement: Montessori Global Education STAR Endorsement

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Read the full job description here.

Applications are open through August 15, 2024.

Apply here or send your cover letter and resume to careers@dihq.org. Please include “Director of Finance” in the subject line.

The post Join Our Team: Seeking Director of Finance & Administration appeared first on Destination Imagination.

Destination Imagination (DI) was chosen out of more than 3,000 applicants for our impact in education innovation, with nearly 200 education experts deeming our Challenge Experience innovative, impactful, and scalable.

HundrED identified a few common threads among this year’s selected innovations, and we are proud to be aligned with others that value these approaches to education:

• A focus on future skills, including 21st-century skills, that help students to thrive in a changing world
• A focus on fostering an environment where all voices are valued
• A focus on well-being through social-emotional learning
• A focus on technology to bridge the learning gap during Covid-19

“It is an honor to share the stage with so many education innovations dedicated to reimagining all facets of the learning landscape,” said Renee Rainville, DI’s International Territory Consultant. “By providing a platform that houses not only the 2024 collection, but also hundreds of other worthy innovations, HundrED is amplifying an energy that impulses change at all levels. Together, we can generate wider awareness of the changing landscape of education so that all learners thrive.”

Rainville and DI’s Director of Education, Johnny Wells, represented DI at HundrED’s 2023 Innovation Summit in Helsinki, Finland. Wells also hosted a workshop for teachers and parents at Helsinki Education Week, exploring how the creative process can be used in academia and parenting to strengthen kids’ problem-solving and innovation skills. 

“As a promoter of learning and of utilizing creativity and the creative process to empower learners, I was truly excited to be a part of the Helsinki Week of Education and attend the HundrED Summit,” said Wells. What an honor to join so many fellow influencers from around the globe! What an honor for DI to be recognized for our innovations in education for a second time.”  

We invite you to read HundrED’s Global Collection 2024 to learn more about us and other education innovations to watch in 2024.

The post Destination Imagination Named in Top 100 Education Innovators appeared first on Destination Imagination.

ABSTRACT
Today’s workforce not only requires specific content-area knowledge and skills achieved through formal education but also, and most critically, superior performance competencies, including distinguishable behaviors. While formal education prioritizes easily detectable and measurable content-specific knowledge and skills, superior performance competencies such as cognitive, affective, and motivational skills remain secondary unless students engage in extracurricular activities in real-world settings. This qualitative study investigated the phenomenon of achieving an array of superior performance competencies through learning by doing at one of the 2023 Destination Imagination events. This study marked the first fieldwork in which the principal researcher directly observed the event in its natural setting. Data were collected, analyzed, and interpreted concurrently during the event by means of observations, ordinary conversations, and an informal interview. The inductive data analysis included analytic memos and midway hypothesis coding, which confirmed the significance of immersing in such activities and resulted in two major findings: 1) participating in such meaningful real-world activities cultivates distinctive behaviors that drive exceptional performance, positioning participants to stand out among their peers; and 2) this involvement also equips students with the capabilities to excel upon entering the workforce, ensuring superior employee performance in their roles.

FULL ARTICLE: Read the full article on the Archives of Business Research journal site.

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It was such a pleasure to see so many of you at Global Finals 2022 in Kansas City! The enthusiasm of the participants was incredible and we hope that you had as much fun as we did. We are looking forward to seeing even more of you next year, as we gather again with our amazing hosts in Kansas City.

I want to send a big “THANK YOU” to our volunteers who once again tirelessly worked to ensure that every team was carefully appraised and received feedback on their solutions.  We also thank those volunteers who performed other jobs critical to the operation of the event.  

I also want to take a moment to thank the incredible DIHQ staff. As you can imagine, it was tough ramping up after a two-year absence from Globals, but as usual, they rose to the task, and overcame every obstacle presented to them. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: they are simply the best team EVER!

There is big news from DI: WE MOVED. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, DIHQ staff has been working remotely from around the country. Our Cherry Hill, NJ headquarters building was unoccupied for over two years, and the Board of Trustees decided to place it on the market in 2021. The sale was finalized this month.

In keeping a brick-and-mortar presence, DI has moved to a smaller location. Please note this change of address for your records.

Destination Imagination, Inc.
141 S. Black Horse Pike, Suite 203
Blackwood, NJ 08012

Finally, many of you have asked if I am still quilting. The answer is a resounding “YES,” and I have attached photos of some recent work below. I am particularly proud of the fabric portrait of my mom, Anna Mable Tuck, at the age of 19. I am currently working on a portrait of my dad!

Stay Healthy. Stay Creative. Stay Cool.

Michele Tuck-Ponder
CEO, Destination Imagination, Inc.

The post News from DIHQ: We’ve Moved! appeared first on Destination Imagination.

War and violence will never be the solution and are a threat to democracy, human rights and peace. 

Destination Imagination stands in solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine. We would like to express our full support to our community members in Ukraine, their families, and to all who are affected by these horrific events. 

Stay safe and keep hope.

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