WINDHAM -- IMAGINE A WORLD where Model T Fords co-exist with Corvettes.

That was the scene at Windham High School Saturday during a car show fundraiser for Destination ImagiNation. The nonprofit program encourages student teams to solve specific challenges and present results in tournament competition.

“It's an integration of different skills from team building to artistic, engineering and design skills,” said Gina Rubery, one of the team coordinators. “Windham had the good fortune of three teams going to global competition.”

Proceeds from the car show went toward the cost of sending the teams to Nashville, Tenn., where the global competition was held.

Over 40 cars were on display in the school parking lot by mid-morning.

“This is an ideal setup for a car show,” said Richard Brown.

It was the second year at the show for Brown, who said the large space and availability of food and facilities make it a superior venue. His 1964 Ford Fairlane drew quite a few people.

Bob Genesse was happy to bring out his 1969 Chevy Camaro Z-28 to support the cause. It took over 350 hours to restore the car, Genesse said. He owns other cars including an Impala and a Corvette, Genesse said.

“I'm a Chevy guy,” Genesse said.

Using his love of cars to help raise money was an added benefit for Genesse, who supports a number of charities.

“It's just fun,” Genesse said. “I love cars.”

Dave Macrae and his son Jeff arrived in a 1926 Ford T-Bucket. Macrae is from Windham and wanted to come out to support the kids. His car is shown mostly at charity benefits, he said.

Destination ImagiNation team members provided face painting, temporary tattoos and food.

Carli Rubery is a six-year member of the program. Her team ranked 19th out of 80 teams in the global competition for a prototype that uses solar energy and artificial photosynthesis to create glucose pills for diabetics. The team also wrote a sketch to go with the project.

“This is the highest score we've gotten so far,” Rubery said.

Team member Cierra Cowen said they began with the knowledge that artificial photosynthesis exists and the idea grew from there. It felt good to crack the top 20 after all the effort they put in, Cowen said.

Christopher Burke's elementary level team came in 23rd of 80 teams for solving a structure challenge. Asked to create something that could hold weight while performing a task, Burke's team experimented with various glues and wood types to develop a tower weighing nine grams that held 1,100 pounds. Golf balls launched over the outer fence filled the tower.

“It felt awesome,” Burke said of the win.

His team is already planning for next year's competition.

Students tend to stick with the program and develop lasting relationships, Rubery said. Students with different abilities and personalities find a way to work together and use their different skills to benefit the team, she said.

“In the course of completing the challenge, they learn so much,” Rubery said.

jhanson@newstote.com