Polar Opposites prepare for worldwide competition

• The Polar Opposites pictured with their state championship trophy

The Polar Opposites pictured with their state championship trophy will represent Hudson at the Destination Imagination Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn., later this month. The fifth-graders from Hudson Prairie Elementary are from left front Kenzie Drace, Sigrid Ellingson, Maiya Koch; back, Sarah Potter, Emma Olson, Mady Haines and Kelly Holm. Their team manager is Melissa Olson. Submitted photo

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The Polar Opposites, the fifth-grade Hudson Prairie Elementary Destination Imagination team, is preparing for its trip to the Global Finals competition in Knoxville, Tenn.

At this year’s Global Finals event, D.I. teams are partnering with Backpacks for Haiti to provide young Haitians with the tools they need to go back to school. Each team is sponsoring a backpack filled with basic school supplies and personal hygiene items. Teams will include photos and personal notes to make a global connection with the Haitian students.

Members of the Polar Opposites are holding a raffle to raise money for their trip and the backpack. Tickets are $5 for a chance to win $100 cash, and two shop local gift card packages including Dick’s Bar and Grill, Elan, Art Doyle’s Spokes & Pedals, Hudson Bagel and Coffee, The Purple Tree and Knoke’s Chocolates. To purchase raffle tickets or make a donation to the team contact Melissa Olson (715) 381-5227. Make checks payable to Hudson School District.

The Polar Opposites wrote an original story about a Polar Bear who thinks global warming is “hot.” Throughout the eight-minute skit, the polar bear experiences a flip and changes his mind. He decides that together we can change our behavior and make a difference. The team created a two person polar bear puppet, live visual art, scenery and a song parody.

Global Finals is the culminating event of every D.I. season and this year close to 1,000 teams from around the world will compete. Destination Imagination encourages teams to use their creativity to change their community and the world. Teams celebrate individual strengths and collaborate to work toward a common goal. The program provides opportunities for students to think on their feet and experience problem-solving by exploring possibilities, stretching limited resources and empowering team members. Students organize, direct, build, and problem solve without any outside assistance from adults.

For more information about Hudson Destination Imagination, check out www.hudsonwidi.org, Wisconsin Destination Imagination at www.wisconsindi.org and the international affiliate at www.idodi.org.

Tags: elementary school, education