California Destination Imagination

Students do amazing things when someone gives them the space to imagine, create, and lead. 🌟

As a CALDI Team Leader, you help guide students through a season of creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on learning. You do not need to have all the answers you just need to support the team as they discover their own.

Help inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and innovators.

Become a CALDI Team Leader today: https://www.caldi.org/start-a-team

Some of the biggest problems our planet faces start with things we see every day: dry soil, less water, extreme heat, and land that can no longer support healthy growth.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a reminder that students can be part of the solution. By learning about earth science, water systems, and environmental innovation, they begin to understand how small ideas can grow into real-world solutions.

At California Destination Imagination, we believe creative problem-solving starts with asking better questions:
How can we save water?
How can we protect land?
How can we design a better future?

Ready to start a Destination Imagination team for the 2026–2027 Challenge Season? 🌟

The new Challenge Season begins July 31, and Early Bird Team Numbers are available from May 15 through July 14 at 2026 pricing.
A California Team Number is $440 and includes National Registration, Team Manager Training, Instant Challenge Training, and the Regional Tournament fee.

Team Managers will also need to complete a background check to participate and access program materials, training, and the DI challenge clarification system.
Team Manager resources will be released July 15, including the Team Manager Roadmap and new Practice Instant Challenges.

Start your team today: CALDI.org/start-a-team

Congratulations to Up-Risers from Fallon Middle School in Dublin, California! 🎉

The team earned 6th Place in the Technical Challenge, Win It Big, Middle Level at Global Finals 2026.

Their performance, “Undead,” brought a creative game show concept to life with three competing vampires, plot twists, high stakes, and a final prize that could change the continuing war between humans and vampires. The team also incorporated an impressive rotating triangular backdrop, Arduino-powered light-and-sound effects, lanterns, and many exciting props to support their story and technical solution.

Team members: Adhrit Mukkavilli, Anushka Kandhavel, Avanika Garlapati, Divesh Vinoth, Samaira Goyal, and Sragvi Vakkalanka.

Team managers: Kandhavel Ranganathan and Ramani Desaraju.

Way to go, Up-Risers! CALDI is proud to celebrate your creativity, teamwork, and achievement on the Global Finals stage. 🌟

“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.”

Science begins with curiosity, observation, and the courage to ask better questions. It is not just about memorizing facts, it is about learning how to think, explore, test ideas, and solve problems creatively.

Through Destination Imagination, students strengthen that way of thinking by combining creativity, teamwork, and innovation in every challenge. 🌟

Were you part of Global Finals 2026? 🌟

CALDI teams, team managers, families, and DI teams from other regions, we’d love to see your favorite photos from Global Finals 2026!

Send us your team photos, team name, and region so we can celebrate the creativity, teamwork, and unforgettable moments from this year’s Global Finals. Your team may be featured on the California Destination Imagination page!

Please message us with your photos and team details. 📸

Congratulations to Team High5 from Live Oak Elementary School in San Ramon, California! 🎉

Team High5 earned 7th Place in the Engineering Challenge, Elementary Level at Global Finals 2026. Their creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and hard work helped them shine on the global stage.

We are so proud to celebrate this incredible CALDI team and their achievement at Global Finals!

Looking for your local DI community? 🌟

CALDI regions connect teams, families, educators, and volunteers across California through creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Find your region, get connected, and be part of the Challenge Experience!

📍 Best of the Bay
📍 Region One
📍 San Joaquin Valley
📍 LADI Land

📧 [email protected]