CREATIVELITTLESCIENT

Creative Little Scientists: Enabling Creativity through Science and Mathematics in Preschool and First Years of Primary Education

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Science and mathematics education is important for Europe. Creativity and innovation are equally recognised as important, and their strengthening in and through education as a vital priority. Importantly, also, creativity holds a strong position in early childhood. The Creative Little Scientists project constitutes a timely contribution to a better understanding, at the European level, of the potential available on the common ground that science and mathematics education in pre-school and early primary school can share with creativity. It provides a clear picture of existing and possible practices, as well as their implications and the related opportunities and challenges. Based on this, the project proposes guidelines, curricula and exemplary materials for relevant teacher training in the various European contexts. The research findings and outcomes are carefully disseminated, in easy to use formats, to all stakeholders at the European level. To achieve these, the Creative Little Scientists project brings together a consortium comprising expertise of the highest level and quality in the areas of science and mathematics education in early childhood, creativity in education, cognitive psychology, comparative educational studies, and teacher training. This consortium carries out research in a sample of nine European countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and the UK) which have been selected to represent a wide spectrum of educational, economic, social and cultural contexts. In this way, the consortium will be able to extrapolate and exploit the findings from the nine sample countries, at the European level.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An extensive multi-national research initiative has increased the understanding behind the importance and potential of a creativity-based approach to early science and mathematics education.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

To build on the link between early science and mathematics education and children's creative potential, a major shift is needed in educational practices and cultures. Introducing new modes of classroom interactions can help stimulate self-expression and boost capacity for creativity and innovation later on. However, such a shift needs to be supported with appropriate teacher training and professional development.

The http://www.creative-little-scientists.eu/ (CREATIVELITTLESCIENT) project brought together a consortium with diverse expertise to study the relevant aspects and advance the means for facilitating this shift. Research was carried out in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Malta, Portugal, Romania and the United Kingdom.

Having documented the current reality in these nine countries, the team developed and refined a conceptual framework, and identified synergies between inquiry-based science education and creative approaches. These were empirically tested in various classroom contexts and found to be appropriate and valid for geographic and age contexts (3-8 years).

Research findings underline the potential for inquiry and creativity through the opportunities teachers offer for generating and evaluating ideas and strategies. This holds for both preschool and primary school settings.

A significant project outcome is a set of curriculum design principles that consortium members developed for teacher education. Key policy recommendations have also been made on the aims of targeted curriculums, teaching, learning and assessment, and contextual factors. The last point concerns sufficient resources and facilities, ongoing professional development, and dialogue with parents and other stakeholders regarding science and mathematics in early childhood.

CREATIVELITTLESCIENT has published numerous reports and consortium members continue to present project findings at international conferences and related events. Partners are also mobilising their organisations and professional networks to exploit project results for enhanced early school creativity and innovation in science and mathematics education.

The outcomes promise improved scientific literacy for a more knowledgeable and sustainable Europe, where informed citizens can contribute to decisions of societal importance.