Creativity pays off at Destination Imagination competition
NORTH ANDOVER — Four teams from North Andover are headed to the state Destination Imagination competition in Worcester on April 12.
Fourteen teams with students from Franklin Elementary School, the Annie L. Sargent School, Kittredge Elementary School and North Andover Middle School competed in the regional competition March 15.
The competition requires students to prepare a solution to a challenge that focuses on creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, construction and design. The challenges, given out in September by the nonprofit organization Destination Imagination, also have a math and science flavor.
Lisa Crowley's son Stephen, a fifth-grader at the Annie L. Sargent School, was on a team working on an obstacles challenge. The team met every week to design a skit about a birthday party and putting a car together. They had to design the car, costumes and the skit. The extra challenge? They couldn't talk during the skit.
They came in first at the regional competition in the "Obstacles, of Course" category.
"They were so excited," said Crowley.
She said the competition is a good thing for the students because they apply what they learn in school to creative challenges.
"It gets them to think," she said.
One other team from the Annie L. Sargent School is headed to the state competition, along with two teams from North Andover Middle School.
Author to share her culture at library
METHUEN — Mitali Perkins may have a few things in common with Methuen students who come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
The author grew up between two cultures. She will present a personal, humorous slide show tomorrow at Nevins Memorial Library, from 4 to 5 p.m.
She will candidly talk about her experiences growing up, as well as explore the tensions immigrant children face. She will discuss the richness of Bengali culture. Students are encouraged to ask questions. Perkins will weave in information about her novel, "Rickshaw Girl," which will be for sale and available for signing.
The program is open to students in grades three through six. Call 978-686-4080, ext. 26, for more information or to sign up.
