Destination Imagination Day Sparks Creativity and Teamwork at UIC

On Saturday, April 12, teams of students from our YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Community Schools Initiative (CSI) came together at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for the 9th Annual Destination Imagination Day — a fun-filled, action-packed event celebrating innovation, teamwork, and creative problem solving. 

Destination Imagination has long been a valued program partner of both the YMCA and CSI. Throughout the school year, Destination Imagination engages students in curriculum that challenges them to solve “instant challenges” on the spot, helping build vital skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. 

During the event, students rotated through four exciting stations: 

• Instant Challenge Station: Teams were given quick-thinking challenges that tested their ability to work together and think on their feet. 
• Mascot Challenge Presentations: In this pre-assigned challenge, students designed a team mascot and performed a skit introducing their mascot and explaining why it represented their team identity. 
• STEM Expo: Presented by CSI partner IPlayGames, this hands-on space featured Mario Kart races, Robot Battles, and Giant Jenga — blending play with STEM exploration. 
• UIC Campus Tour: Students were guided around campus by UIC senior Dream Cannon, offering a glimpse into college life and inspiring their educational journeys. 

The day concluded with lunch and an awards ceremony celebrating teamwork and achievement. Congratulations to Carroll-Rosenwald, who took home the win in the older division, and to Bass, who claimed victory in the younger division. 

Thank you to all the students, staff, volunteers, and partners who made this year’s Destination Imagination Day a success. Your energy and creativity continue to inspire us all! 

If you’re interested in CSI, we’d love to hear from you! Please email Community Schools Initiative Executive Director Eric Werge.