Imagineers® was created in 1998 by The Construction Specifications Institute and area Optimist Clubs to heighten awareness of Engineers Week Since then, over 2500 students in hundreds of teams, from scores public and private schools throughout southeast Michigan have participated in this design-build contest.

Imagineers® challenges each team to design and build a project to “fill a need and solve a problem”.  Using specified household materials (foam cups, plastic spoons, picnic plates and rubber bands), K’NEX toys (rods, connectors, gears, and wheels), and 3 mystery items (hair clips, rubber stopper, etc.), each team is required to build their designed project within the 1-hour time limit.  Judging is based on creativity, functionality, integrity of construction, and effective integration of 2 of the 3 mystery items.

Imagineers® has teams compete in preliminary contests, each with declared winners.  The projects of these winners will then enter a grand judging. Winners and their respective schools will receive recognition with photo certificates and medals.

Imagineers® will hold contests in both Oakland and Macomb Counties. Schools can register multiple teams in either contest, whatever their location. Space will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so earl registration is recommended. Not more than 80 teams may compete in the Oakland contest, and 45 teams in the Macomb contest.