The Effectiveness of Systematic Creativity Interventions with Secondary School Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Roundtable: Creativity and Achievement

Abstract

Creativity has been recognized as a critical 21st-century skill. We systematically reviewed empirical studies from the past 25 years that quantitatively evaluated systematic creativity interventions for secondary school students. A total of 20 studies were analyzed to identify key intervention characteristics and effectiveness. The research findings present the promising potential of systematic creativity interventions for secondary school students. By focusing on authentic, interdisciplinary project- and problem-based experiences, these interventions leverage hands-on and collaborative learning experiences to enhance students’ creativity in various ways. However, inconsistencies in assessment tools, research rigor, and statistical robustness highlight the need for improved measurements, design, and methodologies. The study underscores the importance of integrating creativity into mainstream education, offering insights for practice, policy, and future research.

Authors

• Fangfang Cai, Johns Hopkins University

• Jae Won Claire Shin, Johns Hopkins University

• Jonathan A. Plucker, Johns Hopkins University