Teams stumble at DI Globals

MEEKER I Three teams from Meeker represented Colorado at the Destination Imagination Global Tournament in Knoxville, Tenn., last week. Meeker’s top-placing team was the Thinkadinks, who finished 11th in their age group.
The three teams presented their solutions to challenges and used their creativity and problem-solving in an instant challenge.
The week started with an opening ceremony with the 10,000 participants at Knoxville’s Thompson-Boling Arena. The Meeker teams competed in their challenge against 50 to 75 teams from around the world.
A lot can happen in the eight-minute competition time, and the teams had to overcome technical difficulties and unexpected outcomes in their instant challenges, in which they were presented with unknown problems they attempted to solve.
The 7 Swinging Hammers impressed the judges with their working volcano, but had difficulties with their bamboo and cardboard structure not holding as much weight as it had in the past. These second-and third-grade students held their own in this competition against teams made up of fifth graders and will be a team to beat in the future.
The Party of 7, also the youngest in their age group of middle schoolers, had fun with their Dr. Seuss-style story about a fearless car getting in an accident. However, they were unable to get their cars into the scoring zones. Having their “danger” car veer into the danger zone put them out of the competition.
The Thinkadinks presented their newscast about a community clothing bank they started in the basement of the United Methodist Church. The team placed 11th and was just seven points from seeing their names in lights during Saturday night’s closing ceremony.
The students met new friends and competitors from around the globe, watched different solutions to their challenges.
Organizers said they appreciate all the financial support they received from Rio Blanco County businesses and individuals in getting the teams to Tennessee, where they were able to share with the world the creativity of our small town and made memories they can keep and share for many years.