Creativity K-12

architects of

I Exploring how we can nature creativity in our classrooms

define

understand

apply

creativity and distinguish how it differs between children and adults

the implications of creativity research for school design

evidence-based strategies to enhance creativity in classrooms

https://rps4jp2016.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/spaghetti-and-marshmallow-challenge/

https://echotape.com/company/what-we-learned-marshmallow-challenge/

https://rps4jp2016.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/spaghetti-and-marshmallow-challenge/

https://echotape.com/company/what-we-learned-marshmallow-challenge/

What happened to creativity?

A 1992 longitudinal study by Land and Jarman found that 98% of kindergartners scored at a “genius” level for creativity, but only 32% of them maintained a high score, and just 12% were able to replicate similar results by age 15. (Ershadi, 2019)

Complex problem solving Critical thinking Creativity People Management Coordinating with others Emotional intelligence Judgment and decision making Service orientation Negotiation Cognitive flexibility Source: WEF Future of Jobs Report 2023

Creativity is a process, not a product

Process

PREPARATION

Immersion in creative problem or medium

INCUBATION

Unconscious development of a creative idea

ILLUMINATION

A sudden moment of insight into a creative problem

VERIFICATION

Evaluation and adjustment of the creative idea

Children approach creativity with a sense of play

Children and babies are the R&D division of humanity Alison Gopnik

The built environment influences creativity

Does the environment influence creativity?

Did you know that specific features such as light, windows, plants can promote creative performance for individuals.

Furniture, Air quality and other factors promote team creative performance.

Figure recreated from Lee & Lee 2023

Our work Hominess Perkins Eastman received a ONEder Grant to explore how workspaces can maintain the benefits of flexible design - like collaboration and choice - while reducing the cognitive strain on employees.

Both work and the classroom setting involved some creative process that can be enhanced and encourage by its environment.

By considering the 3 themes in classroom design, students have to potential to develop and act on their creativity abilities.

Physical Comfort

Privacy

Personal Identity

a stick!

Toy of the year

Our work Play Conducted research on the science of play to identify strategies for creating environments that support innovation through play.

Creativity involves a certain level of risk taking that children have the tolerance for. As Brown puts it, play presents a scenario in which “testing [can be] done safely, when survival is not at stake” (Brown, 2009).

Csikszentmihalyi discusses the relationship between our physical surroundings and creativity, noting that certain environments have the ability to stimulate the flow of new ideas and encourage playful experimentation (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997).

Comfort

Sense of ownership

Trust

Familiarity

Continuous Learning Mindset

How does this impact creativity?

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Promotes the importance of discovery

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Promotes innovation

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Encourages adaptability

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Encourages to fail and try again (Jobs of the Maldives)

What is it and why is it important?

Ongoing learning/discovery process where seeking new ideas and knowledge is “never finished”. This mindset can be adopted through environment that prioritize “open-mindedness, persistent yearning for knowledge” (Ginnu, 2025)

Cultivate growth mindset

Nurturing passion & curiosity

Celebrate success

(JWU, 2024)

1

What are we still curious about learning in creativity – what’s left to uncover?

2

How do you think certain influences such as – AI, hybrid learning, continuous learning mindset etc. will impact creativity in an educational setting?

3

What are the priorities for clients and is creativity one of them?

Thank you!