Katy ISD Destination Imagination Teams Earn Four Top 10 Global Finals Finishes, Showcasing Creativity on the World Stage
Katy ISD students recently demonstrated that innovation, creativity and teamwork can compete with the very best in the world.
At the 2026 Destination Imagination Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri, Katy ISD teams earned four Top 10 international finishes while competing against some of the world's most talented young problem-solvers. The achievement places Katy ISD among elite student innovators from across the globe and highlights the district’s continued commitment to preparing students for success in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
For families across Katy, Cinco Ranch, Morton Ranch and surrounding communities, the accomplishment represents more than a collection of awards. It reflects years of dedication from students, educators, volunteer team managers and parents who have invested countless hours developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Katy ISD Students Compete Among the World's Best
Leading the district’s results was The Nerd Herd from Morton Ranch High School, which earned a remarkable second-place global finish in the Improvisational – Casting Shadows challenge.
The team was one of eight Katy ISD teams to qualify for Global Finals after strong performances at the Texas state tournament. Throughout the competition season, students tackled rigorous STEAM-based challenges designed to test creativity, critical thinking, engineering concepts, collaboration and presentation skills.
Katy ISD elementary instructional officer and district sponsor for Destination Imagination, Kristi Sides, praised the students and volunteers who made the achievement possible.
“I am incredibly proud of every student and team manager who represented Katy ISD at Global Finals,” Sides said. “Our students demonstrated outstanding creativity, perseverance and collaboration on the world stage. Having four teams place in the Top 10 internationally is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the talent and hard work of these students.”
Four Katy ISD Teams Finish in the Global Top 10
Several Katy ISD teams delivered standout performances against international competition.
Top 10 Global Finals Finishes
| Campus | Team Name | Challenge | Division | Global Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton Ranch High School | The Nerd Herd | Improvisational – Casting Shadows | Secondary (Grades 9-12) | 2nd Place |
| Cinco Ranch, Beck, Katy and Taylor High Schools | Team DInoMite | Scientific – Unforgettable | Secondary (Grades 9-12) | Top 10 |
| McMeans Junior High | Purple Popsicle | Technical – Win It Big | Middle Level (Grades 6-8) | Top 10 |
| Adams Junior High | 6 Spirited Psychologists | Service Learning – Give and Take | Middle Level (Grades 6-8) | Top 10 |
Additional Katy ISD teams competing at Global Finals included:
- Adams Junior High – Galaxy Girls
- Kilpatrick Elementary – The Magnificent and Outstanding Koalas (The MOKs)
- Wolman Elementary – Think About It
- McMeans Junior High – 7UP
The breadth of participation across elementary, junior high and high school campuses illustrates the district-wide enthusiasm for creativity-based learning and problem-solving opportunities.
Team DInoMite Earns Special Honor at Global Finals
Beyond competition results, Team DInoMite received a unique distinction during the international event.
The team was selected to lead the Texas delegation during the Global Finals Parade of Nations, representing all 133 Texas teams participating in the competition. The recognition highlighted both the team's accomplishments and Katy ISD's strong presence on the international stage.
What Is Destination Imagination?
For many families searching for educational programs that build creativity, leadership and STEM skills, Destination Imagination offers a unique approach.
Destination Imagination (DI) is a global educational organization that challenges students to solve open-ended problems through creativity, innovation and teamwork. The program serves students from pre-kindergarten through university levels and focuses on developing real-world skills through hands-on experiences.
The organization’s mission is to advance creativity as an essential skill for innovation, collaboration and positive change, while its vision is to ignite the power of creativity in all people.
Students participating in Destination Imagination work through a flexible creative process that encourages them to:
- Recognize opportunities and challenges
- Imagine possible solutions
- Collaborate with teammates
- Assess and refine ideas
- Evaluate and celebrate outcomes
Challenges span science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and service-learning disciplines, giving students opportunities to develop skills that many employers and educators identify as critical for future success.
Why Programs Like Destination Imagination Matter
As technology continues to reshape industries and careers, programs such as Destination Imagination help students develop adaptable skills that remain valuable regardless of how the workforce evolves.
Educators, industry leaders and program alumni often credit DI with helping students build confidence, resilience, communication skills and the ability to solve complex problems independently and collaboratively.
For Katy ISD families, the district’s success at Global Finals serves as a reminder that student achievement extends well beyond traditional academic measures. These students are learning how to innovate, lead teams, think critically and communicate effectively—skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.
A Community Achievement
While the trophies and rankings are noteworthy, district leaders emphasized that the accomplishments belong not only to the students but also to the team managers, educators, parents and community members who supported them throughout the season.
The four Top 10 finishes underscore the strength of Katy ISD's academic enrichment programs and the opportunities available to students willing to embrace challenges, take creative risks and work together toward ambitious goals.
As Katy ISD continues to foster innovation across its campuses, the success of these Destination Imagination teams provides another example of local students making an impact far beyond Texas—earning recognition on a truly global stage.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Katy ISD student achievement stories and community updates.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
