The Blue Crab Destination Imagination Tournament last month challenged Charles County students to work together in applying creativity, critical thinking skills and their unique talents to solve one of six challenges in a long-term academic contest.
The tournament — held Feb. 24 at North Point High School — featured challenges in the technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisational, engineering and service learning fields.
The technical challenge prompts students to complete tasks by using engineering, research, strategic planning and related skills. The engineering challenge asks students to explore and apply engineering skills and tools to design and build solutions to specific applications. The scientific challenge blends the curiosity of scientific research with the creative expression of performance art. The fine arts challenge helps students develop acting and creative skills through artistic media, theater arts, scriptwriting, and prop design. The improvisational challenge is all about research, spontaneity, and storytelling. The service learning challenge allows students to engage in public service to address community issues.
Thirteen Early Learning Challenge Teams in prekindergarten through second grade participated in noncompetitive challenges learning to work together, experience the creative process and make new friends.
Rowan Pheulpin, a fifth-grade student at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, designed the Blue Crab Destination Imagination Regional T-shirt and program cover.
The Maryland Destination Imagination Tournament is Saturday, March 16, at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Charles County teams that advance to the state level are:
Pinball Heroes —Technical Challenge
Elementary: Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Forgen, first place; T.C. Martin Elementary School, Dot Dot Dot, second place; Billingsley Elementary School, Dream Team, third place; Berry Elementary School, Magic Dragon, fourth place.
Middle: Matthew Henson Middle School, Team Swamp, first place.
Blast from the Past — Scientific Challenge
Elementary: Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, “What the dog doin’?,” first place; William B. Wade Elementary School, Nuggies, second place; St. Mary’s Bryantown, Ruby Gems, third place; Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, French Fries, fourth place.
Middle: Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Bear Busterz’, first place.
Secondary: North Point High School, Know It Alls, first place.
In Motion — Fine Arts Challenge
Elementary: T.C. Martin, Hungry Hamsters, first place; Mitchell, Fate of the Egg, second place; St. Mary’s Bryantown, Start Students, third place; Arthur Middleton Elementary School, Imagination Owls, fourth place.
Middle: Milton M. Somers Middle School, Reach for the STARJ, first place.
So Extra — Improvisational Challenge
Elementary: Craik, Lucky Seven, first place; J.P. Ryon Elementary School, Lightening Bolts, second place; Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Improv Providers, third place; Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, Glitter Sparkle, fourth place.
Middle: Piccowaxen Middle School, Pink Panthers, first place; Theodore G. Davis Middle School, Creative Cranium Crabs, second grade; St. Mary’s Bryantown, Smarties, third place.
Secondary: Henry E. Lackey High School, Lackey Loops, first place; North Point, We Tried Again, second place.
Going the Distance — Engineering Challenge
Elementary: St. Mary’s Bryantown, Dragon Wizards, first place; Craik, Lightning, second place; Billingsley, Bobcats, third place; C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, Molten Lava, fourth place.
Middle: Henson, Hustlin’ Huskies, first place; Somers, Engineering Toads (E.T.), second place.
Uncharted — Service Learning Challenge
Elementary: Mary H. Matula Elementary School, We Arrr Pirates, first place; Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, Creative Beavers, second place.
Middle: Somers/Matula, Dream Team, first place.
T.C. Martin’s Dot Dot Dot team earned the Renaissance Award for outstanding skill for design, engineering, execution and performance. Neal’s Engineering Experts earned the Spirit of Discovery Award for demonstrating excellent teamwork and sportsmanship.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).