UT Dallas Rocks Problem-Solving Competition

For the eighth year in a row, creative problem-solving teams from UT Dallas have excelled at the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals, this year taking an unprecedented seven firsts and one second against collegiate teams from across the country.

A total 24 UT Dallas students participated in three long-term challenges and four extreme challenges in the event. The competition, held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on May 21-24, is designed to teach problem-solving skills with creative thinking, teamwork, self confidence, mutual respect, research, innovation and leadership.

More than 7,000 participants from 1,032 teams took part.  The contest challenges involved specific themes — theatrical, structural, improvisational, scientific or technical. Categories included Obstacles, Of Course!, Hit or Myth, DI’ve Got a Secret, CHORIFIC, Switch and, in the Rising Stars Category, TwisDId History.

Founded 25 years ago, Destination ImagiNation programs range from pre-school age to high school and college. More than 200,000 young people in 40 foreign countries and the U.S. began the Destination ImagiNation competitive process by taking part in local, state and regional tournaments earlier this year.

The UT Dallas teams placed first in Hit or Myth, CHORIFIC!  Switch!, Super Max Extreme, Max Extreme, Extendo Day, Extendo Night and second place in SuperMax Extreme.

Other collegiate teams hailed from The University of Texas at Austin, Cornell University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, the University of Michigan, the University of Wyoming and Clarkson University.