Among the most valuable skills in this emerging world are creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication and solving challenges as they appear. For over 30 years, Destination Imagination has focused on building these skills for students K-college, engaging over 1-million students since 2000. NH-DI has roots back over 40 years and has served over 125,000 Granite State students.
Frequently run as an after school program, the NH Destination Imagination Challenge program empowers students to collaborate on open-ended STEAM challenges (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math). Teams work together to develop creative solutions and building essential life-long skills. DI is more than just a competition; it’s a journey that teaches perseverance and resilience as students learn from both successes and failures. These experiences help build self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. It is often so significant that students who were on teams in school, our alumni, have returned as volunteers in a variety of roles.
There are 7 fun Challenge categories to choose from, including Technical, Scientific, Engineering, Fine Arts, Improvisational, and Service Learning. And for our youngest explorers, there’s a non-competitive Early Learning Challenge designed to build social and problem-solving skills through play. Each is experience is enhanced with an Instant Challenge, fostering the skills needed for team members to think on their feet.
Up to 7 members can be on a competitive team, more on our early learning teams. Students from kindergarten through university level participate to develop a solution to one Team Challenge. Teams, formed based on grade or age level, are responsible for designing, creating and owning 100% of their Team Challenge solution. Each team needs an adult Team Manager that helps students stay on track but cannot help the team develop their solution to the Challenge. This is all about the team members!
There are seven new Challenges to choose from each year. Each Challenge is developed by a team of educators and industry experts who target a particular curriculum area and its related standards of content and performance. There is also a non-competitive Early Learning Challenge that allows participants to develop social and problem-solving skills.
Starting a team in New Hampshire is a great way to inspire your students or children and prepare them for success. Many schools already have programs, so you can first check there to get connected with a local coordinator. If there isn’t a program, it’s easy to start a new one! To get started, you can contact us directly (questions /at/ nh-di.org) to be connected with a volunteer who can answer your questions.
NH Destination Imagination is run by NHICC, New Hampshire Innovation and Creativity Connection, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Destination Imagination, Inc. is also a non-profit organization.
Resources:
- Learn how to start a NH Destination Imagination Team
- See the Challenge Summaries for 2025-2026 (very abbreviated)
- How to register a team for NH Destination Imagination
- Still have questions? Write us at questions@nh-di.org
- Reach out on social: Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky or LinkedIn
- Media: Please reach out at press@nhicc.org