Imagineers was created in 1998 by The Construction Specifications Institute and area Optimist Clubs to heighten awareness of Engineers Week Since then, public and private schools throughout southeast Michigan have been invited to register, resulting in hundreds of teams, from scores of schools participating 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 popper, 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, conformance to submitted design, and effective integration of 2 of the 3 mystery items.

Imagineers has teams compete in 4  contests, each with 3  declared winners.  The projects of these winners will then enter a grand judging. Winners and their respective schools will receive recognition with certificates and medals.

Imagineers will hold contests in both Oakland and Macomb Counties. Schools can register in either contest, whatever their location. Space will be limited to 1 team for each fifth grade in each school. A total of 80 teams may compete in the Oakland contest and 60 teams in the Macomb contest.