Destination Imagination Help

Westside Intermediate Destination Imagination Teams

Have you ever wondered what education would be like if a child’s imagination drove the curriculum? For the past three years, a team of six creative elementary students from Westside Intermediate School in Wicomico County, Maryland have shown parents and teachers that this is not only possible, but it’s education at its best! We are writing to you to help our team achieve an amazing goal. First, let us tell you a bit about what they’ve done.

Now in 5th grade, this team has traveled through time and space to learn the properties of light, the scientific method and the ways animals live and communicate. In their minds they have ventured to Stonehenge, Norway and the deserts of the Southwest. They have written scripts, sewn costumes, created Viking ships and mountains out of cardboard, and built stage sets with shower curtains and chicken wire. They have learned to speak publicly, to act, and to perform. All of this occurred on a shoestring budget where trash and recyclables are the preferred medium. Most importantly, the kids have realized that almost anything can be achieved with their imaginations, creative problem solving and teamwork.

This has all been possible through an international program called Destination Imagination. Each year teams of children from around the world apply creativity, critical thinking and their particular talents to solve one of five team challenges. Volunteer adult team managers guide and facilitate team efforts, but never tell the kids what to do. The teams compete at the regional, state and global levels. At each competition, the teams are appraised and the top two winning teams proceed to the next level.

This year, through extremely hard work over the last seven months, after school and on weekends, our fabulous team--called the Translating Rams--successfully participated in the regional and state competitions, placing first in Maryland for their challenge. Now the team has the honor and privilege of the attending the global competition in Knoxville, TN on May 20-23, 2009.

In order for the team to go to Tennessee, it must raise $6,000. We are looking for any help that will assist us in reaching this goal. We welcome your sponsorship through business or individual donations. All contributions are tax deductible.

We thank you so much for your support and thank you for believing in the value of teaching tomorrow’s leaders to think outside of the box.

Sincerely,

Amy K. Liebman
Co-Team Manger
Translating Rams

Please send your donation to:
Westside Intermediate School
c/o Destination Imagination
8000 Quantico Road
Hebron, MD 21830