Special recognition

Special recognition goes to several teams and individuals for their accomplishments.

Spirit of Discovery & Imagination Award

The TAG Team from Evans Middle School in Ottumwa, Team 112-16416, earned a Spirit of Discovery & Imagination Award in Team Challenge E, Hold It! “The team forgot their structure at home,” said the Appraisers. “They did not sulk or complain. They disassembled and reworked their delivery device to obtain materials. They developed a new design and built a new and working structure. The team maintained a very positive ‘get it done’ attitude throughout the episode. They maintained a great attitude.” Congratulations, The TAG Team! Such perseverance is truly the Spirit of DI! The Spirit of Discovery & Imagination Award is offered for exceptional Spirit, Teamwork, Volunteerism and Sportsmanship.

Renaissance Award

Also earning a special award was Hypothetically we have a Giant Mushroom from Maharishi School of Fairfield, Team 112-24943, which earned the Renaissance Award in Team Challenge B, The Solar Stage. “This team,” said the Appraisers,” did an excellent job researching and integrating unique scientific and theatrical components. They demonstrated advanced knowledge through communicating with experts and integrating solar energy within an ‘unearthly realm.’ They applied advanced lighting techniques to demonstrate their scientific components as well as their theme. Lighting created both mood and motion effectively. They built an infinity mirror completely from scratch that reflected light as if it had been professionally made and was very effective as a representative of a wormhole. Their dialog was well executed and explained the science behind their story very well. The theatrical lights were very thoughtful. Each theme had a different color. The whole story was smooth and integrated with the element choices. They demonstrated an extraordinary amount of effort and preparation with their solution and outstanding performance, engineering and design.” Congratulations to this team for an outstanding job all-around! The Renaissance Award is offered for exceptional skill in the areas of engineering, design, or performance.

Students for a Creative Iowa Student Scholarship

Congratulations are in order for Ethan Marshall Lloyd of Maple Valley Anthon Oto, a seven-year Destination ImagiNation® participant who was awarded the Students for a Creative Iowa Student Scholarship in the amount of $500, to be used at a post-secondary institution of his choice. “Destination ImagiNation has been a great learning experience for me,” wrote Ethan in his scholarship application. “This is an experience that is unlike any other I have experienced in school. DI is a place for me to think out of the box and try to solve problems in different ways . . . . I have learned that no idea is a bad idea and many great things may spring out of a totally off the wall or silly concept. The trick is to channel and focus these types of ideas and use them as a jumping off point and develop them into workable concepts.”

Kitch-Eilerts Memorial Scholarship

Ethan Marshall Lloyd was also awarded the Kitch-Eilerts Memorial Scholarship, which honors the memory of two former Destination ImagiNation® participants (Dayle Kitch and Aaron Eilerts), who lost their lives early in life but were great role models for community service. The $500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school student who has participated at least 2 years in Destination ImagiNation®, and who has made an impact as a community volunteer. Ethan wrote about April 9th last year, the same day that the State Tournament took place, to explain one of his volunteer experiences. “It was April 9th and I had just a little stage fright. It was the night of the high school play, and just as the first act was ending, the sirens started to howl. We all took cover in the basement while a tornado struck our town. When we exited the school building, we were amazed at the devastation. The work had just begun. Over the next several weeks I volunteered every chance I got. I helped clear trees and clean up the community. I helped load tin that had blown off buildings and spent many hours cleaning insulation from the chain link fence at school.”

Besides participating in the clean-up effort necessary in the aftermath of a tornado, Ethan volunteers three days a week in a special education classroom by reading to the students. After participating at Boys State his junior year, he became an assistant counselor. When the communities near the Missouri River had flooding last year, Ethan and several of his classmates helped clean up the area around Brown’s Lake. “Volunteering has taught me how to work with others,” he says. “After the tornado hit, I worked with many different people, old and young, male and female, students from different schools and even people who were just passing through and wanted to help. We worked together to move big pieces of debris. I have learned that no matter how bad things may look, if we work together and help each other, we can rise above the situation.”

Ethan plans to study video game design and computer science at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota next fall.

cre8iowa Pin & T-Shirt DIsign Contest

Congratulations and thank you to the two Fairfield girls, Avery Travis and Leanna Miller from Maharishi School, who won the cre8iowa Pin & T-shirt DIsign Contest for the 2012 Legendary Creativity Iowa Affiliate pin and T-shirt that will be worn proudly by all Iowa Global Finals participants, as well as their supporters, at the international competition. The 2013 contest is currently underway. Please visit the contest rules page to learn about submission guidelines. The submission deadline is Monday, July 2, 2012.

Thanks for your support!

It takes many volunteer hours and donations to support the Destination ImagiNation® program in Iowa. Special thanks go to the following for their assistance this past season:

• All Affiliate Board members
• Bruce Antion, Tournament Director
• Affiliate Webmasters
• All Challenge Masters
• Panera Bread for discounting the cost of Appraiser lunches at the Sub-state and State Tournaments
• Terry Lowe and the folks from Chartwells who provided food service for our Tournaments
• Mary Boothsby for volunteering at the Sales Table and for donations of sales inventory
• Deanna Jens for donations of sales inventory
• American Legion Foundation for its grant used for medals, plaques and training workshops
• Iowa Energy Center for printing and free use of its facilities for Board meetings and the Advanced Team Manager Training Workshop
• Kuemper Catholic School in Carroll for hosting our Western Appraiser training
• Ames Middle School for hosting our Central Appraiser training and Tournaments, and free use of its facilities
• BluTrack for donating race track and associated supplies for the Games Table
• Hy-Vee, 555 South 51st Street in West Des Moines for donating Instant Challenge supplies for the State Tournament
• Everyone who donated to the Students for a Creative Iowa Student Scholarship and the Kitch-Eilerts Memorial Scholarship Funds
• All Appraisers, Tournament volunteers, Coordinators, workshop facilitators, Team Managers and parents who provide the Destination Imagination® experience to Iowa students

Competition results

Tournament results are available below:

• Challenge A, Assembly Required
• Challenge B, The Solar Stage
• Challenge C, Coming Attractions
• Challenge D, News to Me
• Challenge E, Hold It!
• projectOUTREACH®, The World Canvas

Go to our Competition Schedule page to download the State Tournament schedule, as well as to locate driving directions to Ames Middle School. The download link for the schedule is AFTER the map, so make sure you scroll past the map.

You may find the following Tournament reminders helpful:

• When you first arrive at the Tournament, visit the Registration table to check in your team. This is located in the Commons.
• Parking:
• Please note that buses should NOT park in front of the school. Those that have done so in the past get parked in until the end of the Tournament, and cannot get out until everyone else has left. Instead, park in the back of the school in the north lot.
• Challenge A (Assembly Required) teams can drop off their props by going to the East parking lot. Look for the doors with a large letter “A” on them.
• Do not park in the center turnaround. This is a Cy-Ride turnaround, and you will be towed away if you park here.
• Schedule:
• When you check your schedule, please note that there are 2 performance times: one for the Team Challenge, and one for Instant Challenge. Check-in is 20 minutes before any performance, so give yourself enough time to move from one location to the next.
• Challenge E (Hold It!) teams have a structure weigh-in time, for a total of 4 scheduled times: Structure Check-in, Team Challenge Check-in, Team Challenge and Instant Challenge.
• Prop Storage:
• We are asking Team Managers and Coordinators for their assistance in monitoring Prop Storage. Prop Storage is NOT supervised, so do not leave your valuables unattended. Many teams choose to leave their solution in a vehicle until it is time to perform.
• If you see something that shouldn’t be happening, please let the Prep Area Appraiser for that Challenge know, or talk to the Challenge Master (identified by a neon-colored safety vest).
• Challenge B: Since lighting is controlled for this Challenge, once the doors have closed for this performance, no one may enter or exit the performance venue. If you plan to watch this performance, make sure you arrive on time!
• Things to do during downtime:
• There will be a photo station somewhere in the Commons, so bring your camera and take a team photo.
• Your team is encouraged to watch other teams’ performances, since this is a great learning opportunity.
• Got a restless team? There are games that teams can borrow to keep them occupied. The Games Table is located in the Commons Area. Also, check out the state team packet for some more ideas.
• No dumping of any part of your solution is allowed. We appreciate being able to use the Ames Middle School facility, and want to insure that we are welcome in the future. Dumping of any part of your solution can be grounds for an Unsportsmanlike Conduct deduction, even after the Tournament is completed.
• Paperwork: Make sure your team shows up with the appropriate completed paperwork. This is turned in to the Prep Area Appraiser. Team Managers can complete paperwork for elementary teams as long as they write the exact words the team dictates. Middle and high schoolers should complete their own paperwork. It is important that these forms be legible! To insure legibility, take advantage of the fillable forms found in the Resource Area. If you run out of space, type on the back, or attach a second sheet. Keep in mind, however, that Appraisers do not have time to read a novel!
• All teams: Declaration of Independence (2 copies – one for the Prep Area Appraiser, and one for Instant Challenge Check-in)
• All teams except projectOUTREACH® (see below) – 5 copies of Tournament Data Form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
• projectOUTREACH® teams: 6 copies of marketing brochure and 6 copies of Tournament Data Form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
• All teams – Medical Information Form for each team member (kept by the Team Manager in case of an emergency)
• All teams except for Challenge D – Expense Report (make sure this is a photocopy, since it will not be returned to you). Also bring copies of receipts in case questions arise about Expense Report.
• All teams – 5 photocopies of Team Clarifications (if your team asked for any)
• Things to know:
• All teams are required to familiarize themselves with Published Clarifications. These clarifications supercede all other rules and can be published ANYTIME.
• Make sure you review the Tournament policies page. No weapons (real or facsimile) are allowed, and requests for the use of dry ice must be pre-approved by the Tournament Director. Students must be supervised by adults at all times.
• If you have not already scheduled a dress rehearsal, now is a great time to do so. Please remind audience members that it is Interference for them to provide any kind of constructive feedback. Have your team practice set-up, entering from the left, entering from the right, and having something go wrong (such as having scenery fall down, or a prop being forgotten at home). Remind teams that their solution must fit through a standard doorway.
• Now is a good time to have the team brainstorm a list of “what if” scenarios in case something goes wrong at the Tournament. Simultaneously, have the team brainstorm a list of items needed for an emergency repair kit.
• Remind parents and supporters that they may not help students put on makeup and costumes, and that it is the team’s responsibility to make any repairs to their solution. It is the team’s solution!

As always, feel free to contact Judy Nolan, judynolan@aol.com, with your questions.

The first order of business is an analysis of your team’s standings. Your team’s Tournament score is comprised of individual components detailing whether your team did an above average, average or fair job. To learn where your team needs to make changes, it’s important to examine your scores very carefully, and to compare them to the Reward Points section of your team’s Challenge.

Raw Score vs. Scaled Score

Let’s start by discussing what the 2 rows of numbers mean that comprise your team’s score. Although there are some exceptions that we’ll get to in a moment, in general the bottom row of numbers is the team’s Raw Scores, or the number of points Appraisers award the team for its performance in the Central Challenge, Team Choice Elements and Instant Challenge. It is important to note that these are preliminary scores. Together, these points add up to a maximum combined 400 points: 300 points for the Team Challenge (240 Central Challenge points + 60 Team Choice Elements points), and 100 points for Instant Challenge. If your team is doing Challenge D, the improvisational Challenge, you have no Team Choice Elements and therefore your Central Challenge alone accounts for three-fourths of your team’s score, or 300 points.

The top row of numbers is your team’s Scaled Scores. What this means is that the preliminary or Raw Scores are turned over to the Score Room, where they are stacked against other teams’ scores in your Challenge and Level, and curved on a scale, much as grades in a typical classroom are curved on a scale. If Team ABC’s Raw Score of 76.75 is the highest Instant Challenge score for its Challenge and Level, for example, then its Scaled Score is 100 points, and all other teams in that Challenge and Level are scored proportionately beneath it.

The significance of the Raw Scores versus the Scaled Scores is that between the two is a narrow time frame when your team can get some initial feedback. Thirty minutes after a team performs its Team Challenge, one Team Manager and one team member may pick up the team’s Raw Scores and discuss them with the Head Appraiser or Challenge Master. If your team has not been doing this, you have missed a great opportunity to learn more about the team’s performance. The official reviews areas of strength and areas where you team may need to improve, asking open-ended questions that the team should take to heart and discuss during a team meeting. The official will not suggest specific ways to improve scoring areas, of course, for this would be Interference. After this meeting, the Raw Scores go to the Score Room for final computerized calculations.

Breakdown of Reward Points

Where you will find your team’s Scaled and Raw Scores can be found in the bulleted list below. Note that the scores correspond directly with the Reward Points section of your team’s Challenge. It is critical that your team examine each column of its scores in relationship to (1) its own Total Scaled Score, and (2) other teams’ individual scoring elements, since this will help your team understand where it would be most impactful to make changes and/or focus additional effort. Point out to your team the pie charts that are in the side column of the Reward Points section of their Challenge. This will help them understand visually the impact of different scoring elements.

Challenge A:

• Column 1: The top number is the Total Scaled Score (max. 400 points). Below it are deductions (if any).
• Column 2: The top number is the Scaled Equipment Score (max. 80 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 3: The top number is the Scaled Product Design and Usage Score (max. 30 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 4: The top number is the Scaled Order Completion Score (max. 100 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 5: The top number is the Scaled Story Score (max. 30 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 6: The top number is the Scaled Team Choice Elements Score (max. 60 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 7: The top number is the Scaled Instant Challenge score (max. 100 points). Below it is the Raw Score.

Challenges B, C & projectOUTREACH®:

• Column 1: The top number is the Total Scaled Score (max. 400 points). Below it are deductions (if any).
• Column 2: The top number is the Scaled Central Challenge Score (max. 240 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 3: The top number is the Scaled Team Choice Elements Score (max. 60 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 4: The top number is the Scaled Instant Challenge score (max. 100 points). Below it is the Raw Score.

Challenge D:

• Column 1: The top number is the Total Scaled Score (max. 400 points). Below it are deductions (if any).
• Column 2: The top number is the Scaled Central Challenge Score (max. 300 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 3: The top number is the Scaled Instant Challenge score (max. 100 points). Below it is the Raw Score.

Challenge E:

• Column 1: The top number is the Total Scaled Score (max. 400 points). Below it are deductions (if any).
• Column 2: The top number is the Scaled Weight Held Ratio (max. 140 points). Below it is the Raw Score, based on the numbers in Column 3.
• Column 3: The top number is the Total Weight Held by the Structure (in pounds). The bottom number is the Structure Weight (in grams). If you take the top number and divide it by the bottom number, this gives you the Raw Score for Column 2.
• Column 4: The top number is the combined Scaled Score (max. 100 points) for Element 2 (Design and Creativity of the Golf Ball Delivery Device) and Element 3 (Story). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 5: The top number is the Scaled Team Choice Elements Score (max. 60 points). Below it is the Raw Score.
• Column 6: The top number is the Scaled Instant Challenge score (max. 100 points). Below it is the Raw Score.

Types of Scores

Teams are awarded Subjective, Objective or Zero Scores for various scoring elements.

An objective score is awarded for fulfilling a specific requirement: If you do this, it is worth X number of points. If it is there, the points are awarded; if it is not, that scoring element receives a Zero Score. Make sure that your team is not losing easy points by missing required elements! Often, objective scores are awarded for problem-solving, i.e., solving a specific task.

Whenever you see a range of points awarded for a scoring element, this is a subjective score that is the result of the Appraisers’ opinions. Subjective scores are usually awarded for creativity, innovation, the Team Choice Elements, and Instant Challenge. Is your team getting the most out of its subjective scoring areas? Let’s examine these areas in more detail.

Creativity and Innovation

In general, anywhere that creativity is scored, the team needs to ask itself: Is our solution really original, innovative, unique, uncommon, or unexpected? Is the team making sure that every element is its OWN solution, rather than being produced by someone else? This could be an Interference issue and result in a deduction, especially at State, where scoring is stricter. In the case of Challenge C, where an Original Soundtrack is required, the team should ask itself: What is original about our Original Soundtrack?

Some Challenges (often the technical ones) call for an innovation score. Innovation is related to complexity of the solution. Ask your team what else it can do to elaborate, or add details. Is there something new the team can research that would result in a different, possibly more complex solution? Often (though not always), higher complexity results in a higher innovation score.

Team Choice Elements

Many teams do not score as highly as they can for their Team Choice Elements. Keep in mind, first of all, that Appraisers can only score what the team describes on its Tournament Data Form. If this information is not detailed enough, then the Appraisers will not have a clear understanding of what they should score. The Appraisers MUST use what the team describes on the Tournament Data Form. If the information is not there, the Appraisers cannot make assumptions about where the team wants them to award points.

Has the team selected the right Team Choice Element, or is there something else that would be a better choice? Make sure that the Team Choice Element is not something that is already being scored elsewhere. If your team’s costumes are a required part of the Challenge, for example, then you should not list them as a Team Choice Element. You may, however, single out one of the costumes because of its special properties; make sure you describe what is special on your Tournament Data Form!

A very important fact to keep in mind is that a Team Choice Element is awarded points in 3 areas, worth 10 points apiece: creativity and originality; quality, workmanship or effort that is evident, and integration into the Performance. Creativity and originality are often apparent when common materials are used in uncommon, unintended or unexpected ways. Quality, workmanship or effort become evident by the details invested in the outcome, by the amount of time it takes to develop the final product, and by the learning that takes place during the process. Integration into the Performance concerns how well the Team Choice Element fits into the story; would the story be the same if this Team Choice Element were not present?

Instant Challenge

A team’s Instant Challenge score is 25 percent of its final score, and often has a huge impact on the overall competitive outcome. Doing well in Instant Challenge is usually the result of practicing often and consistently, and of debriefing after every practice. A team should practice Instant Challenge at every team meeting. Ideally, a balance of different types of Instant Challenges should be included.

Instant Challenges are either task or performance-based, or a combination of the two. Task-based Challenges involve moving, guiding, controlling, building for weight, height and/or strength (or weakness!), modifying, narrowing down choices, or communicating. In contrast, performance-based Challenges require a performance involving a beginning, middle and ending. They may involve props and/or materials, or simply a team’s imagination. Any Instant Challenge may be non-verbal, in whole or in part.

Team Managers should feel free to modify practice Instant Challenges to address a perceived need that a team has. For example, a Team Manager can add or subtract time for a Challenge, remove or add steps, or substitute other materials that are smaller (or larger) in scale than the ones described in a published Instant Challenge. They can require a non-verbal solution, ask the team to split into two parts, remove or add materials, and so on. Have a team member or two sit out and make critical observations. Always debrief your team afterward, asking your team to evaluate itself: What do you think you did well? What could you do better? What would you change the next time around? Don’t be afraid to repeat the same Instant Challenge, requiring a completely different solution the second time around!

Swap out the roles that team members play; in business this is known as cross-training. Do the same with your team, making sure that different people act as facilitator, timekeeper, rules keeper, builder, planner, and so on. The ways in which your team members communicate with each other through these roles is an important part of their teamwork score. Most Instant Challenges have a planning component, when teamwork is evaluated. Keep in mind that a team that cannot be heard can also not be awarded points; do not whisper at any time during Instant Challenge!

A useful exercise is having your team write its own Instant Challenge, which makes them much more aware of the components of Instant Challenge, as well as the problem-solving process.

To best prepare for Instant Challenge, help your team build a library of experiences from which it can draw when faced with Instant Challenge in a competitive situation. At the very least, your team will feel more comfortable in dealing with the unexpected if it has practiced Instant Challenge often and regularly. Resources for Instant Challenge are found in cre8iowa’s Instant Challenge Library, as well as in the Destination ImagiNation Resource Area and at ShopDI. Next year, make sure your team attends cre8iowa’s annual Instant Challenger workshop.

Advancing to the Next Level

In moving from one Tournament level to the next, all teams are expected to evaluate how they did previously, set new goals and modify their solutions. The best teams often triple the level of complexity between the Sub-state and State Tournaments, and triple it again between State and Global Finals Tournaments. We are looking forward to seeing the results of that process!

• they do not have a trained Appraiser who also served at Sub-state this season
• they made no visible effort toward a viable solution at the Sub-state Tournament
• they are disqualified because of Interference in Instant Challenge (discussing their Instant Challenge with non-team members before Global Finals), or
• they choose not to advance.

Special congratulations go to the elementary Silver Starz team from St. Albert School (Team 112-11552), which earned a Spirit of Discovery & Imagination Award. According to the Appraisal team for Challenge E, Elementary Level, there was an error in weighing that would have greatly helped this team, but the Team Manager and the entire team said that wouldn’t be fair or right, and wanted a re-do on weighing. The Appraisal team felt this attitude reflects the true meaning of fairness and sportsmanship, and the Spirit of DI. The Spirit of Discovery & Imagination Award is offered to those who act as superior role models in the areas of spirit, sportsmanship and volunteerism. Way to go, Silver Starz!

If your team placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in your Challenge and Level, but was unable to accept your award because you had to leave the Tournament early, you can pick up the individual awards at the Sales & Registration table at the State Tournament.

To download competition results, click on the applicable link(s) below:

• Challenge A, Assembly Required
• Challenge B, The Solar Stage
• Challenge C, Coming Attractions
• Challenge D, News to Me
• Challenge E, Hold It!

If you are a Rising Stars!® volunteer, you will serve a 2-3 hour shift. Please arrive in time to serve your shift so that you will be able to watch your team perform. No child-sitting services are provided, so please leave your child with another adult while you serve your volunteer shift.

Thank you!

The Sub-State Tournament schedule is now available for viewing. Please note that the deadline for special schedule requests has passed. If a special situation arises between now and the Sub-State Tournament, you may contact another team and exchange places, as long as that team is competing in the same Challenge and Level. However, both teams must notify cre8iowa by emailing cre8iowa@gmail.com. If your team withdraws, please notify us immediately, as this affects the schedule.

Go to our Competition Schedules page to download the Sub-State Tournament schedule, as well as to locate driving directions to Ames Middle School. The download link for the schedule is AFTER the map, so make sure you scroll past the map.

• 2/24/12 Correction: Challenge D Middle Level room has changed to G202-203

• When you first arrive at the Tournament, visit the Sales & Registration table to check in your team. This is located in the Commons.
• Food service will be available from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. You will find the menu HERE.
• Please note that buses should NOT park in front of the school. Those that have done so in the past get parked in until the end of the Tournament, and cannot get out until everyone else has left. Instead, park in the back of the school in the north lot.
• Challenge A (Assembly Required) teams can drop off their props by going to the East parking lot. Look for the doors with a large letter “A” on them.
• Do not park in the center turnaround. This is a Cy-Ride turnaround, and you will be towed away if you park here.
• When you check your schedule, please note that there are 2 performance times: one for the Team Challenge, and one for Instant Challenge. This includes Rising Stars!® teams. Check-in is 20 minutes before any performance, so give yourself enough time to move from one location to the next.
• Challenge E (Hold It!) teams have a structure weigh-in time, for a total of 4 scheduled times: Structure Check-in, Team Challenge Check-in, Team Challenge and Instant Challenge.
• Prop storage is NOT supervised, so do not leave your valuables unattended. Many teams choose to leave their solution in a vehicle until it is time to perform.
• There will be a photo station somewhere in the Commons, so bring your camera and take a team photo.
• Your team is encouraged to watch other teams’ performances, since this is a great learning opportunity.
• Challenge B: Since lighting is controlled for this Challenge, once the doors have closed for this performance, no one may enter or exit the performance venue. If you plan to watch this performance, make sure you arrive on time!
• Got a restless team? There are games at the Sales & Registration table that teams can borrow to keep them occupied.
• No dumping of any part of your solution is allowed. We appreciate being able to use the Ames Middle School facility, and want to insure that we are welcome in the future. Dumping of any part of your solution can be grounds for an Unsportsmanlike Conduct deduction, even after the Tournament is completed.
• Make sure your team shows up with the appropriate completed paperwork. This is turned in to the Prep Area Appraiser. Team Managers can complete paperwork for elementary teams as long as they write the exact words the team dictates. Middle and high schoolers should complete their own paperwork. It is important that these forms be legible! To insure legibility, take advantage of the fillable forms found in the Resource Area. If you run out of space, type on the back, or attach a second sheet. Keep in mind, however, that Appraisers do not have time to read a novel!
• All teams except Rising Stars!®: Declaration of Independence (2 copies – one for the Prep Area Appraiser, and one for Instant Challenge Check-in)
• All teams except projectOUTREACH® and Rising Stars!® (see below) – 5 copies of Tournament Data Form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
• projectOUTREACH® teams: 6 copies of marketing brochure and 6 copies of Tournament Data Form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
  
• Rising Stars!® teams: 5 copies of Starry Showcase form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
• All teams – Medical Information Form for each team member (kept by the Team Manager in case of an emergency)
• All teams except for Challenge D and Rising Stars!® – Expense Report (make sure this is a photocopy, since it will not be returned to you)
• All teams except for Challenge D and Rising Stars!® – Copies of receipts in case questions arise about Expense Report
• All teams – photocopy of Team Clarifications (if your team asked for any)

• All teams are required to familiarize themselves with Published Clarifications. These clarifications supercede all other rules and can be published ANYTIME.
• Make sure you review the Tournament policies page. No weapons (real or facsimile) are allowed, and requests for the use of dry ice must be pre-approved by the Tournament Director. Students must be supervised by adults at all times.
• If you have not already scheduled a dress rehearsal, now is a great time to do so. Please remind audience members that it is Interference for them to provide any kind of constructive feedback. Have your team practice set-up, entering from the left, entering from the right, and having something go wrong (such as having scenery fall down, or a prop being forgotten at home). Remind teams that their solution must fit through a standard doorway.
• Now is a good time to have the team brainstorm a list of “what if” scenarios in case something goes wrong at the Tournament. Simultaneously, have the team brainstorm a list of items needed for an emergency repair kit.
• Remind parents and supporters that they may not help students put on makeup and costumes, and that it is the team’s responsibility to make any repairs to their solution. It is the team’s solution!

It is already time for Appraiser training for the 2012 DI season, and you have a few options about where to go:

• Feb. 4, 2012 – Iowa City, Kirkwood Campus
  • 1816 Lower Muscatine Rd., Iowa City, IA 52240
  • Check-In: Room 255
• Feb. 11, 2012 – Kuemper Catholic High School, Carroll, IA
  • 116 S. East St., Carroll, IA 51401
  • Check-In: Cafeteria/Hallway
• Feb. 18, 2012 – Ames Middle School, Ames, IA
• 3915 Mortensen Road, Ames, IA 50014
• Check-In: Commons

You should arrive at 9 am to check-in/register. In order to check-in, you should bring with you:

• 2 copies of the Appraiser Registration page (Note: Your Team Manager should give you this. It is page 5 of the Iowa Registration.)
• Pages 6-7 – Appraiser Challenge Overview (one copy)
• Page 8 - Appraiser Agreement (one copy)
• A pencil/pen
• $5 for lunch or a bagged lunch

This year all Challenges will be trained at all locations EXCEPT for Challenge C, which will not be trained in Carroll.

If you have never appraised before (or even if you have), you will find that the slide show called “Appraiser Training,” found at DI University, is helpful as an overview/review.

For full details about Appraiser training, please refer to the Appraiser Information page of this Web site. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know right away by emailing cre8iowa@gmail.com.

In order to pre-order, you must fill out the order form (link below) completely by January 28^th 2012. Once your pre-order has been received, you will receive an email from cre8iowa letting you know if the desired t-shirt size(s) and quantities are available and providing you with the official total. At that time you will be asked to mail in your check or purchase order for the total amount, which must arrive within 10 days to the address below. Note: We can offer the 2011-12 affiliate shirt for $10 per shirt.

Once payment has been received, you will receive an order confirmation email from cre8iowa.

You will be able to pick up at the sales table at the Sub-State Tournament on March 3^rd. Pick-ups may only be done by the person placing the order or other approved person named on this form. No other person may pick up the shirts.

You can find the order form here: 11-12 Pre-Order Form

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at cre8iowa@gmail.com.

At this popular workshop, each team is given individualized attention for a period of 2 hours, beginning at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 1:30 p.m. Once your team arrives, it will split its time between 2 rooms, one in which performance-based Instant Challenges are practiced and feedback is provided by experienced DI volunteers, and another room in which task-based Instant Challenges are practiced.

You can request a reservation for your team at either 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 1:30 p.m., listing a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Once your reservation request is received, you will receive an email from cre8iowa, letting you know whether the time you requested is available. Then you will be asked to mail in your check or purchase order for $20 a team, which must arrive within 10 days. Your reservation is not CONFIRMED until payment arrives. If payment does not arrive within 10 days, you may lose your team’s spot to the next team on the waiting list.

This registration form needs to be completed for each team you register. Registrations are non-refundable, unless bad weather conditions prevent your team’s attendance, and you notify cre8iowa@gmail.com no later than 24 hours following the Instant Challenger.

Please note that teams MUST be accompanied by an adult. If you have multiple teams, they will be in different rooms, so you will need to arrange for adult accompaniment.

Click HERE to reserve a spot for your team.

Questions? Contact Judy Nolan at judynolan@aol.com.

For more information see the 11-12 DI Video Contest flyer or go to the Tell Us Your Story Video Contest page.

Good luck and have fun!