Two Programs to Foster Scientific Creativity & Innovative Problem-Solving Competence in Schools
In a world of increasing globalization and technological progress young people must learn to solve real problems for which there are no ready-made strategies to shape tomorrow’s world in an innovative, resource-conserving, and sustainable way (Kind & Kind, 2007; Marope et al., 2017). Therefore, in many curricula, the so-called 21st Century Skills (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2015), which include for example creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving, are anchored.
Especially in the field of gifted education, the call to promote creativity is becoming louder and louder. Gifted students exhibit exceptional intellectual abilities as well as a high level of curiosity. Fostering their scientific creativity strengthens their ability to critically evaluate information, make connections between different concepts and develop novel approaches to challenges. This enables them to tackle complex problems with confidence and ingenuity.
