DECATUR - Jackson Davis has no problem with taking the lead in describing Johns Hill Magnet School's Destination ImagiNation project.

"I'm the big talker," he said.

He's also the builder of the light box which solves the mystery in the group's entry in the contest. Open one side of the box, the light is green. Open the other side, the light is red. A secret message written on the wall in their play only shows up when the red light is shined on it, Jackson said, while Jacob White demonstrated by scribbling on a paper with some markers and holding up the paper in front of Jackson's light box.

Destination ImagiNation is a creative problem-solving activity for students. Schools can sign up to be part of the program online at www.idodi. org and participate in competitions and tournaments. This is the second consecutive year that the Dinamite Team has made it to state, and if they place high enough, they can go on to global competition. This year's state tournament will be April 14 in Bloomington.

Parent Joanne Kerper is the Johns Hill team's manager, but her job isn't to help, she said.

"I just sort of oversee," she said.

The kids have a choice of challenges, but all the challenges include the same elements of teamwork, design and technical elements. Johns Hill's Dinamite Team chose CSI:DI, in which they had to write an original story about a case, the supporting evidence and the resolution. CSI, in this case, stands for Color, Shadow and Illumination - thus the light box, Jackson said.

The bad guy, who stole a package of plastic spoons, is a bouncy "French guy," as Jackson described him.

"I always get stuck doing the weird jobs," he said.

The students have to have costumes and present their story as a play. At the competition, they'll also be presented with "side trips" - instant challenges they'll have to add into their already-finished presentation.

"One of our side trips was a song that we sung," said Allison Kerper, "and the other was a dance."

The team didn't make it to the global challenge last year, but they're more confident this year.

"We learned how to act this year," Jackson said. "Last year, we were just talking."

"We're veterans," teammate Donald Thompson said.

Valerie Wells can be reached at vwells@herald-review.com or 421-7982.