Saturday, March 18, 2000
Creativity is key to tournament
Students build, perform, think
BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Thousands of area students will gather today to test their imaginations.
Groups of children of all ages are building roller coasters. Teams are putting on musical skits. Others are building structures out of pasta that can withstand heavy weights. All the stu dents are encouraged to use their creativity.
“Too often they look at things like they've been taught to in schools,” said Tina Harvey, a Delhi Township parent who is coaching several teams. “This helps them look at things a different way. And find solutions that otherwise never would have been thought of.”
The students are taking part in the Destination ImagiNation Tournament today. It's a problem-solving exer cise that encourages creativity. Winners of the two local tournaments will go on to a state competition in April.
Students from schools in Clinton, Warren and Butler counties are showcasing their work at Miami University. Students in Hamilton, Clermont, Highland, Brown and Adams counties will unveil their projects at the Glen Este schools campus.
Tony Bianco, a 14-year-old eighth-grader at St. Dominic Elementary in Delhi Township, has been rehearsing for a musical skit with his group two hours every day for two weeks. That doesn't even include the weekly meetings for months in advance to prepare.
His team is creating a musical performance that tells a story without any speaking or writing. A skit has been created. Scenery has been constructed. Friendships have been devel oped.
“We've been working very hard,” Tony said. “But we are going to have lots of fun.”
The benefits of the program are key to a child's development, said Roger Walker, director of the tournament being held at Miami University. Students learn teamwork, how to handle big projects, and how to think up solutions that stand out from the competition.
“These students will come to the table with skills most of their peers haven't learned to take advantage of,” Mr. Walker said.
Many of the students have been working on their projects since August, said Michael Ward, superintendent of West Clermont Local Schools. They chose from six major problems meant to inspire their imagination.
Those who watch are amazed at the variety and creativity of solutions the different teams have to the same problem, Mr. Ward said. “I am simply amazed at the power of these young people,” Mr. Ward said.
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