Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teams and others tested their imagination, technical know-how and ingenuity during last month’s 2026 Destination Imagination Blue Crab Region Tournament held at North Point High School.

Fifty-two teams competed in one of six challenges to determine which teams will advance to the state tournament March 14 in Baltimore. The top six elementary, four middle and three high school teams that place in a challenge are invited to compete at the state tournament. The challenges are broken out into the categories of technical, scientific, engineering, fine arts, improvisational and service learning.

The technical challenge was called Win It Big and asked teams to create and design a game show that showcased a gimmick, a reveal and a “razzle dazzle” effect.

Win it Big Challenge

Elementary

• Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Golden Gummy Bear Takedown, first place.
• Craik Touchdown Tigers, second place.
• Arthur Middleton Elementary School, The Owlet Games, third place.
• Billingsley Elementary School, Dazzling Divas, fourth place.
• Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, Purple Celery, fifth place.
• Margaret J. Thornton Elementary School, Superstars, sixth place.

Middle

• Milton M. Somers Middle School, Fantasy 4 the Win, first place.
• St. Mary’s Bryantown School, Golden Gamers, second place.
• Matthew Henson Middle School, Ballers, third place.

High

• La Plata High School, Skibidi Sigmas Power of 67, first place.
• North Point High School, Ringo Ringo Ringo, second place.

The Unforgettable Challenge was the scientific entry in this year’s competition. Teams created and presented a story about how a character’s memory leads to a realization. Teams integrated scientific research conducted in the field of human memory, along with a misdirection in the presentation.

Unforgettable Challenge

• C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, Science Smarties, first place.
• William A. Diggs Elementary School, The Little Einsteins, second place.

The fine arts challenge was called Becoming Super with teams creating and presenting a origin stories for two characters — one a superhero, the other a supervillain. The challenge tasked teams with using theatrical methods to portray a difficult situation, decision or event. There had to be a technical costume and at least one member wearing stage makeup. 

Becoming Super Challenge

• St. Mary’s School Bryantown, Purple Pig Tails, first place.
• Craik, Heroes, second place.
• J.P. Ryon Elementary School, OG Cardinals, third place.
• Diggs, The Super Girls, fourth place (tie).
• Gale-Bailey Elementary School, Gigglers, fourth place (tie).
• T.C. Martin Elementary School, Super Stars, fifth place.
• Eva Turner Elementary School, Imagineroes, sixth place.

The Casting Shadows challenge was the improvisational entry and asked teams to create and present an improvised skit based on an inciting incident. Team members research pairs of opposing themes and must use a shadow screen and box of materials to enhance the performance.

Casting Shadows Challenge

Elementary

• Billingsley Imaginators, first place.
• Martin, Trouble Makers, second place.
• Barnhart DI Challengers, third place.
• Gale-Bailey, Sigma Lions, fourth place.

Middle

• Frederick Classical Charter School, I Think … YeaH!!!, first place

High

• Henry E. Lackey High School, League of Villains, first place.

The engineering challenge was called the Above and Beyond Challenge where teams test how much weight a team-created structure can hold as far from its center as possible. The teams must create a story in which something expands, extends and goes above and beyond.

Above and Beyond Challenge

Elementary

• St. Mary’s School, OG Onomatopoeia, first place.
• Mt Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, DI Big Brains, second place.
• Diggs, The Constructors, third place.
• Barnhart, 41 Goals, fourth place.

Middle

• Somers, 67 Inventors, first place.

The Give and Take Challenge is in the service learning category and asked teams to identify, design, carry out and evaluate a project that addresses a need in the community. The presentation must include a misunderstanding and at least two differing viewpoints.

Give and Take Challenge

Elementary

• Craik, Yappers, first place.
• Martin, Chaos Destroyers, second place.
• Mt. Hope, Beavers Comeback, third place.
• Gale-Bailey, Undertakers, fourth place.

Middle

• Somers, Fantastic 67s, first place.
• Piccowaxen Middle School, Mayhem Makers, second place.

Destination Imagination was founded in 1999 as an activity for students designed to inspire creativity in problem solving while focusing on collaboration, perseverance and respect among team members. Teams that place first in the state competition are invited to compete at the global finals in May held in Kansas City.

 

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

 

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).