Creativity Development in Ukrainian Science Education: Towards Innovation and Reconstruction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63437/3083-6433-2025-2(35)-18Keywords:
creativity, STEAM education, design thinking, inclusive education, scientific giftedness, innovative thinkingAbstract
The presented article focuses on the key role of creativity and interdisciplinary thinking in training a new generation of researchers in Ukraine, especially in the context of a full-scale war. The authors argue that a modern scientist must not only be knowledgeable but also capable of innovative solutions to complex problems, which is supported by examples from the defense, medical, and energy sectors. It is noted that the traditional education system, often focused on memorization, does not meet these needs, creating a gap in the training of future leaders.
The central idea of the study is to develop holistic methods that cover different age groups – from preschoolers to students of specialized scientific institutions, as well as children with special educational needs (SEN). The article emphasizes the importance of developing not only cognitive but also sensorimotor skills, highlighting that creativity in science is based on practical interaction and experimentation. The role of preschool design education is highlighted as a foundation for subsequent, more specialized approaches, such as STEM/STEAM education.
Special attention is paid to inclusivity, demonstrating how STEM/STEAM can serve as an important tool for the inclusion of children with SEN, as well as a natural environment for the development of creativity in gifted children. This underscores the strategic imperative of a differentiated approach to education for the maximum realization of each child’s potential. Foreign methodologies are also considered, indicating a readiness to adapt global experience for the modernization of the Ukrainian education system. Overall, the article positions the development of creativity as a national strategic imperative that will ensure Ukraine's recovery and future competitiveness.
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References
Використані літературні джерела
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2. Attwood T. The complete guide to Asperger’s syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 2006.
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6. Csikszentmihalyi M. Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention. Harper Perennial. 2018.
7. Gardner H. The making of the mind: The anatomy of creativity as seen through the lives of Freud, Einstein, Picasso, Stravinsky, Eliot, Graham, and Gandhi. Basic Books. 2020.
8. Grandin T. The way I see it: A personal look at autism and Asperger's. Temple Grandin. 2009.
9. Griffiths A. J., Brady J., Riley N., Alsip J., Trine V., Gomez L. STEM for everyone: A mixed methods approach to the conception and implementation of an evaluation process for STEM education programs for students with disabilities. Frontiers in Education. 2021. Vol. 5. Article 545701. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.545701
10. Honey M., Pearson G. STEM integration in K-12 education: Status, prospects, and an agenda for research. National Academies Press. 2014.
11. Hwang J., Taylor J. C. Stemming on STEM: A STEM education framework for students with disabilities. Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities. 2016. Vol. 19, № 1. P. 39–49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14448/jsesd.06.00017
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14. National Center for Systemic Improvement. Accessible STEM learning: Promising practices for inclusion. 2022.
15. Nicolson R. I., Fawcett A. J. Developmental dyslexia: The role of the cerebellum. Dyslexia: An International Journal of Research and Practice. 2007. Vol. 13, № 3. P. 151–177.
16. Piaget J., Inhelder B. Mental imagery in the child: A study of the development of imaginal representation. Routledge & Kegan Paul. 1971.
17. Robinson K. Out of our minds: Learning to be creative. Rev. and updated ed. Capstone Publishing. 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780857086549.
18. Root-Bernstein R., Root-Bernstein M. Sparks of genius: The thirteen thinking tools of the world's most creative people. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2013.
19. Runco M. A., Jaeger G. J. The standard definition of creativity. Creativity Research Journal. 2012. Vol. 24, № 1. P. 92–96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2012.650092
20. Ryan R. M., Deci E. L. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist. 2000. Vol. 55, № 1. P. 68–78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.68
21. Sacks O. W. Musicophilia: Tales of music and the brain. Alfred A. Knopf. 2007.
22. Schunk D. H., Pajares F. Self-efficacy theory. Handbook of motivation at school. Routledge. 2009. P. 35–53.
23. Sternberg R. J. Handbook of creativity. Cambridge University Press. 2019.
24. Swanson H. L., Vaughn S. Learning disabilities and science: Research-based interventions and teaching strategies. Brookes Publishing. 2016.
25. Wagner T. Creating innovators: The making of young people who will change the world. Scribner. 2020.
26. Wannapiroon N., Pimdi P. Creative thinking and innovation skills development in Thai undergraduate science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM): A conceptual model using a digital virtual learning environment in the classroom. Education and Information Technology. 2022. Vol. 27, № 4. P. 5689–5716. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10849-w.
27. Yakman G. STEM to STEAM: The framework for integration. Children's Engineering Education Conference. 2011.
References
1. Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in context: Update to the social psychology of creativity. Westview Press.
2. Attwood, T. (2006). The complete guide to Asperger's syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
3. Ayeni, B. O., Unachukwu, C. C., Osawaru, B., & Onyebuchi, C. (2024). Innovations in STEM education for students with disabilities: A critical examination. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 11(1), 1797-1809. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.0001.
4. Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
5. Bequette, J. W., & Bequette, M. B. (2012). A creative process for art integration: The STEAM model. Art Education, 65(2), 40-47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2012.11519167
6. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2018). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Harper Perennial.
7. Gardner, H. (2020). The Making of the Mind: The Anatomy of Creativity as Seen through the Lives of Freud, Einstein, Picasso, Stravinsky, Eliot, Graham, and Gandhi. Basic Books.
8. Grandin, T. (2009). The way I see it: A personal look at autism and Asperger's. Temple Grandin.
9. Griffiths, A. J., Brady, J., Riley, N., Alsip, J., Trine, V., & Gomez, L. (2021). STEM for everyone: A mixed methods approach to the conception and implementation of an evaluation process for STEM education programs for students with disabilities. Frontiers in Education, 5, Article 545701. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.545701
10. Honey, M., Pearson, G., & Schweingruber, H. (Eds.). (2014). STEM integration in K-12 education: Status, prospects, and an agenda for research. National Academies Press.
11. Hwang, J., & Taylor, J. C. (2016). Stemming on STEM: A STEM education framework for students with disabilities. Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, 19(1), 39-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14448/jsesd.06.00017
12. Juliangkary, E., Suparta, I. N., Ardana, I. M., & Mahayukti, G. A. (2024). Development of learning models to enhance students’ creative thinking: A systematic literature review. PPSDP International Journal of Education, 3(2), 488–503. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v3i2.333
13. Micheli, P., Wilner, S. J. S., Bhatti, S. H., Mura, M., & Beverland, M. B. (2018). Doing design thinking: Conceptual review, synthesis, and research agenda. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 36(6), 124-149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12466
14. National Center for Systemic Improvement. (2022). Accessible STEM learning: Promising practices for inclusion.
15. Nicolson, R. I., & Fawcett, A. J. (2007). Developmental dyslexia: The role of the cerebellum. Dyslexia: An International Journal of Research and Practice, 13(3), 151–177.
16. Piaget, J., & Inhelder, B. (1971). Mental imagery in the child: A study of the development of imaginal representation. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
17. Robinson, K. (2011). Out of our minds: Learning to be creative (Revised and updated ed.). Capstone Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780857086549.
18. Root-Bernstein, R., & Root-Bernstein, M. (2013). Sparks of genius: The thirteen thinking tools of the world's most creative people. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
19. Runco, M. A., & Jaeger, G. J. (2012). The standard definition of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 92-96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2012.650092
20. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.68
21. Sacks, O. W. (2007). Musicophilia: Tales of music and the brain. Alfred A. Knopf.
22. Schunk, D. H., & Pajares, F. (2009). Self-efficacy theory. In K. R. Wentzel & A. Wigfield (Eds.). Handbook of motivation at school. Routledge. P. 35-53.
23. Sternberg, R. J. (2019). Handbook of creativity. Cambridge University Press.
24. Swanson, H. L., & Vaughn, S. (2016). Learning disabilities and science: Research-based interventions and teaching strategies. Brookes Publishing.
25. Wagner, T. (2020). Creating innovators: The making of young people who will change the world. Scribner.
26. Wannapiroon, N., & Pimdi, P. (2022). Creative thinking and innovation skills development in Thai undergraduate science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM): A conceptual model using a digital virtual learning environment in the classroom. Education and Information Technology, 27(4), 5689-5716. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10849-w.
27. Yakman, G. (2011). STEM to STEAM: The framework for integration. Children's Engineering Education Conference.
