Fox Elementary Destination Imagination Team Named Best in the World
Fox Elementary made district history as their team, the Sparkly, Savage, SUS, Dinosaurs, placed 1st in the world at the 2021 Destination Imagination Global Finals!
The group, led by Team Manager Lisa Mackey, wowed appraisers from around the world with their Service Learning podcast.
The Sparkly, Savage, SUS, Dinosaurs weren’t the only team to impress at the DI Finals. Seven other DI teams from across Klein ISD also placed among the elite at the Global Finals. These DI teams who placed in the Global Finals consisted of students from Krimmel Intermediate, Mittelstadt Elementary, Strack Intermediate, Klein High School, Ulrich Intermediate, and Benfer Elementary.
Destination Imagination is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators, leaders and creative problem solvers. This program is all about helping students reach their creative potential. By participating in DI, students learn lifelong skills that will help in everything they do and about teamwork, perseverance, ingenuity- all while working together in a S.T.E.A.M. environment.
DI is divided into challenges and teams participate in a specific task. This year the Fox Elementary team chose the Service Learning Project. The team had to identify a community need and figure out a way to solve it. They then had to create a podcast with commercials to showcase their service learning endeavor. They also had to participate in a Fast Flex challenge for Globals. This took the place of their Instant Challenge because of the virtual platform this year.
“Being a DI team manager is hard work, but unbelievably rewarding. Watching teams thrive and be recognized for their accomplishments is something I will always strive towards,” said Lisa Mackey, Fox Art Teacher & DI Team Manager. “Competing at any level, regional, state, or the Global level, allows students to learn from others, share ideas, and build life-long friendships. DI is in my heart and in the hearts of all the many students and families that have been on DI teams- past, present and future. I do have to say though, it feels great to be the first team in Klein to ever win first place at Destination Imagination Global Finals!”
Destination Imagination is a creative, team-focused, STEAM competition for K-12 and university students. DI offers an experience, customized for distance learning, through which students find their superpowers. Working in teams to solve STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) challenges, quiet students come alive. DI introduces students to a wide range of ideas, skills, and techniques while solving challenges their way.
“The success and dedication these talented students have demonstrated with their victory at DI Globals is a testament to their creativity and commitment and to the grit, determination, and care Klein ISD staff invest in our students,” said Dr. Jenny McGown, Klein ISD Superintendent. “Congratulations to Fox Elementary for this outstanding achievement!”
This year, the group of students worked so hard with all of the challenges of a virtual competition. Fox’s team was made up of new members who had never participated in DI or never heard of the program. These brilliant minds hit the ground running in September coming up with a solution to help the new students of Fox get to know each other better. Team Manager Lisa Mackey was amazed by their creativity, technological skills, and lessons they were able to learn from each other.
“I am so proud of each member of the Sparkly, Savage, SUS, Dinosaurs and how they have represented the Fox Elementary Cubs community at DI Globals,” said Lakita Combs, Fox Elementary Principal. “Our school community is so proud of this team and can’t wait to see how they continue to excel in the future.”
Another amazing member of our student’s support system who made this victory possible was Gordon See, Support Program Coordinator from Advanced Academic Services, who also took several teams to Global Finals. Without hardworking student collaboration and the instruction from champions of learning like Mr. See and Ms. Mackey victories like this would be much harder to come by.
Congratulations to Fox Elementary, Krimmel Intermediate, Mittelstadt Elementary, Strack Intermediate, Klein High School, Ulrich Intermediate, and Benfer Elementary, for each of your legendary wins at DI Global Finals! Your Klein Family is extremely proud of the way you continue to represent our district to the best of your ability.
1st Place
Service Learning / Project Outreach Challenge – Project Podcast, Elementary Level
Fox Elementary’s Sparkly, Savage, SUS, DInosaurs
Team Manager: Lisa Mackey
9th Place
Improv Challenge – Cased Closed, Middle Level
Krimmel Intermediate’s DI Joes
Team Manager: Darchell Chesser
Ranked: 11th
Improv Challenge – Cased Closed, Elementary Level
Mittelstadt Elementary’s D.I. Detectives
Team Managers: Darby Neill & Megan Macdiarmid
Ranked: 12th (TIE)
Engineering Challenge – Built to Last, Middle Level
Strack Intermediate’s DIgnified Cougars
Team Manager: Margie Akers
Ranked: 16th (TIE)
Improv Challenge – Cased Closed, Secondary Level
Klein High’s DI Team
Team Managers: Chase Hooper & Annie Hero
Ranked: 21st
Fine Arts Challenge – Epic Remix, Middle Level
Strack Intermediate’s Digital Awakening: Going Viral
Team Manager: Ron Beach
Ranked: 27th
Engineering Challenge – Built to Last, Middle Level
Ulrich Intermediate’s NeXt-GeN-EeRs
Team Manager: Lindsay Emerson
Ranked: 33rd
Improv Challenge – Cased Closed, Elementary Level
Benfer Elementary’s The Pickled 5
Team Manager: Marlene Sauceda Garcia
Best Public Schools in Texas
Klein ISD has an established 84-year history of excellence and innovation in education with unique pathways for EVERY student in our care to ensure learners are college, career, military, and life ready. With recognition for STEM, athletics, fine arts, and academics from highly-esteemed organizations, it is clear that Our Shared Vision of every student entering with a promise and exiting with a purpose is a reality for EVERY student who walks through our doors.
About Klein ISD
Klein ISD is a school district in Klein, Texas, located in northwestern Harris County. The district spans approximately 88 square miles and serves more than 53,000 students in 33 elementary schools, 10 intermediate campuses, one high school program of choice, and 5 high schools.
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There are so many incredible individuals in the Klein Family making a lasting impact on our community. We want to recognize and celebrate our leaders and learners that are cultivating talent, building relationships, reimagining learning and making Promise2Purpose a reality daily. Share your story here: https://kleinfamily.net
