Katy ISD Teams Shine at 2025 Destination Imagination Global Finals
Creativity, character, and collaboration took center stage as 11 teams from Katy ISD earned top global rankings at the 2025 Destination Imagination Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri. The annual event, which brings together thousands of students from across the globe, provided a platform for young innovators to tackle complex challenges through teamwork, imagination, and empathy.
Held in May, the competition celebrated not only the students’ technical and artistic achievements, but also their ability to lead with kindness and sportsmanship. At the heart of this international event were Katy students who, beyond competing, found ways to support others. McMeans Junior High’s team, the Industrialists, went above and beyond by lending their technology to a Canadian team in need. Meanwhile, Team DInoMite!—a collaborative group of students from Beck, McMeans, and WoodCreek junior highs—expressed gratitude through handwritten notes to event volunteers.
“True champions aren’t just measured by medals, and our Katy ISD teams showed that sportsmanship, generosity, unity and global connection are the real victories,” said Kristi Sides, Katy ISD’s District sponsor for Destination Imagination.
What Is Destination Imagination?
Destination Imagination (DI) is a global educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and equipping students to become the next generation of creative leaders and problem solvers. The organization provides project-based learning experiences through competitive challenges and enrichment curriculum that integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), social-emotional learning, and real-world problem-solving skills.
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DI programs serve students from pre-K through college and emphasize the 4Cs: creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Every year, student teams tackle themed challenges that span technical design, scientific discovery, fine arts, improvisation, and community service. The DI Global Finals is the culmination of regional and state tournaments, drawing elite teams from over 15 countries to compete on the world stage.
2025 Destination Imagination Challenges
This year’s challenges pushed students to blend ingenuity with narrative, engineering with empathy:
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Technical Challenge: Breaking Point – Build and test structures designed to be assembled and disassembled under pressure.
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Scientific Challenge: Worlds Beyond – Create a performance exploring life on other planets.
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Fine Arts Challenge: Less is More – Develop a story where something simple causes a significant impact.
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Improvisational Challenge: Are We There Yet? – Perform a skit involving an unpredictable journey.
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Service Learning: This or That – Design and implement a project to address a community issue.
Katy ISD teams embraced these themes with enthusiasm and originality. Two teams were also honored with special recognition:
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Pattison Elementary’s Purple Popsicles earned the Renaissance Award, given to teams displaying exceptional design, engineering, or performance.
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Taylor High School’s 5 to Infinity won the High IC Award, presented to the team with the highest score in the Instant Challenge, which assesses rapid problem-solving under pressure.
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2025 Katy ISD Global Finalists and Results
| School | Team Name | Challenge (Level) | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattison Elementary | Purple Popsicles | Scientific – Worlds Beyond (Elementary) | 2 |
| Alexander Elementary | Bright Lights | Fine Arts – Less is More (Elementary) | 5 |
| Stanley Elementary | Destructive Llamas | Technical – Breaking Point (Elementary) | 8 (Tie) |
| Randolph Elementary | The Froggies | Technical – Breaking Point (Elementary) | 15 (Tie) |
| McMeans Junior High | Industrialists | Technical – Breaking Point (Middle) | 3 |
| Beck, McMeans, and WoodCreek Junior Highs | Team DInoMite! | Scientific – Worlds Beyond (Middle) | 6 |
| Beck Junior High | Fly Like a Beagle | Improvisational – Are We There Yet? (Middle) | 11 |
| Adams Junior High | Galaxy Girls | Scientific – Worlds Beyond (Middle) | 13 (Tie) |
| Seven Lakes, Jordan, and Tompkins High Schools | We Are There | Improvisational – Are We There Yet? (Secondary) | 5 |
| Tompkins High School | Epic Failiers | Service Learning – This or That (Secondary) | 8 |
| Taylor High School | 5 to Infinity | Fine Arts – Less is More (Secondary) | 8 |
Global Impact, Local Pride
Participation in Destination Imagination fosters more than just academic excellence—it builds global citizens. Katy ISD students return from the Global Finals not just with accolades but with expanded worldviews, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for collaboration and creativity.
As Destination Imagination continues to shape future leaders through imaginative challenges, Katy ISD’s consistent presence and performance on the international stage showcases a district-wide commitment to holistic education and student empowerment.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more updates on student achievements and local educational programs.
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.
