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Exploring Child Creative Habits of Mind in an Out-of-School Engineering Program

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Conference

2022 ASEE St. Lawrence Section Annual Conference

Location

Syracuse University, New York

Publication Date

March 25, 2022

Start Date

March 25, 2022

End Date

February 26, 2024

Page Count

19

DOI

10.18260/1-2--45412

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/45412

Download Count

120

Paper Authors

biography

Peter N. Knox State University of New York at Binghamton

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Peter Knox is a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Community and Public Affairs at Binghamton University (State University of New York). His research is focused on education policy, family engagement, family-school-community partnerships, and influences on adolescent postsecondary success/readiness, particularly as they pertain to and manifest within rural communities and contexts.

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biography

Sawsan Werfelli Binghamton University

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Sawsan Werfelli received her undergraduate degree in English from Tripoli University, Libya and her Master’s degree in Linguistics as a Fulbright scholar from Florida International University. She decided on pursuing her EdD after having worked in the field of education for 8 years. She is interested in social justice issues and inclusivity of education.

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Amber Simpson State University of New York at Binghamton Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-5467-4885

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Amber Simpson is a Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education in the Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Department at Binghamton University. Her research interests include (1) examining individual’s identity(ies) in one or more STEM discipl

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Abstract

Assessing creativity in schools is challenging due to preexisting academic structures, assessment metrics, and curriculum standards. This challenge requires looking beyond schools and traditional curriculum to out-of-school contexts and programs that may encourage what have been identified as ‘creative habits of mind’. Within the field of engineering, creativity has been identified as a core component. As such, understanding what creative habits of mind may be fostered through participation in out-of-school engineering experiences is important to garnering engagement and investment in the discipline. This study explores the emergence of creative habits of mind through participation in an out-of-school home-based engineering program. Specifically, we sought to answer the research question: What creative habits of mind emerge through child reflections of their experience in an out-of-school engineering program? Data was derived from post-program interviews with youth from 15 diverse families who participated in the program. Transcripts were analyzed using a priori coding based upon the Centre for Real-World Learning Model of Creative Habits of Mind. Emerging patterns regarding creative habits of mind developed through participation were identified. Imaginative, inquisitive, and disciplined creative habits of mind emerge in the findings as the most prevalent creative thinking processes, with concepts including playing with possibilities, exploring and investigating, and reflecting critically playing a prominent role in youth perceptions of their experiences. This is significant in that it demonstrates a development in creative, independent thinking in children and a fostering of curiosity, imagination, and problem solving through self-reflection that is inherent and critical to the field of engineering.

Knox, P. N., & Werfelli, S., & Simpson, A. (2022, March), Exploring Child Creative Habits of Mind in an Out-of-School Engineering Program Paper presented at 2022 ASEE St. Lawrence Section Annual Conference, Syracuse University, New York. 10.18260/1-2--45412

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