Is the Destination Imagination Engineering Challenge, Under Investigation, Right for Your Student?

When it comes to hands-on learning that inspires creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, the Destination Imagination (DI) Engineering Challenge stands out.

 

But what kind of student thrives in this Challenge? While DI welcomes students of all interests and backgrounds, the Engineering Challenge tends to attract a certain type of curious mind.

Let’s explore!

🔩 The Builders and Tinkerers

Some kids just have to know how things work. They’re the ones who take apart broken gadgets, experiment with LEGO® builds far beyond the instructions, or dream of inventing something new. The Engineering Challenge gives these students the freedom to design, build, test, and refine a real-world solution—all within the fun framework of a creative team experience.

💡 The Problem-Solvers

If your child enjoys puzzles, mazes, or figuring out clever solutions, they’ll love the Engineering Challenge. Each season, the Challenge presents a specific problem or task that teams must solve using the engineering design process. It’s not about right answers—it’s about developing the best solution they can imagine and create.

🎨 The Creative Thinkers 

Engineering in DI isn’t just nuts and bolts. Students are also encouraged to think creatively—whether it’s using unexpected materials, telling a story around their design, or blending art and function. If your student is both technical and imaginative, this is the perfect space to stretch both sides of their brain.

🤝 The Collaborators

Every DI Challenge is team-based, which means communication, compromise, and teamwork are essential. Students who enjoy group projects—or who could use practice working with others—develop valuable interpersonal and leadership skills through the process of designing and building something together.

🚀 The Future Engineers (and Beyond!)

Whether your student dreams of being an engineer, architect, game designer, or even a teacher, the Engineering Challenge helps build foundational skills that transfer to many future careers. It also fosters a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning.

2026 - 27 ENGINEERING CHALLENGE PREVIEW: UNDER INVESTIGATION

Destination Imagination Under Investigation Engineering Challenge LogoDestination Imagination Under Investigation Engineering Challenge LogoDestination Imagination Under Investigation Engineering Challenge Logo

Our Engineering Challenge asks students to explore and apply engineering skills and tools to design and build solutions to specific applications.

 

Every great mystery starts with something puzzling, bizarre, or seemingly impossible. In this season’s Engineering Challenge, your team will create a weight measurement system that can determine the weight of an object as accurately as possible and incorporate it into a story about a detailed investigation. 

What clues will your team uncover as the investigation unfolds, and what mysteries are waiting to be solved?

This season' Engineering teams get to:

  • Create and present a story about a detailed investigation of an unusual occurrence.
  • Include a freeze that shows at least one character continuing to interact with elements of a scene while the rest of the action has stopped.
  • Design and build a freestanding weight measurement system that will be used to determine the weight of randomly selected mystery weights.
  • Integrate the weight measurement system, the mystery weights, and the weight measurement system testing into the Presentation.
  • Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.

Bottom Line? The Destination Imagination Engineering Challenge is ideal for students who like to explore, design, and build—especially when it involves a little trial and error, a lot of teamwork, and a big dash of fun. If your student enjoys making ideas come to life, this Challenge might just be their next big adventure.

Ready to learn more?

Take a look at this season's Challenge Previews.

Questions? Contact Wisconsin Destination Imagination (WIDI) by calling/texting (414) 207-4117 or emailing info@wisconsindi.org