Creative thinking, creative problem-solving, and inventive design in the engineering curriculum: A review

Abstract

During the past decade, and especially over the last few years, engineering educators have been promoting, and implementing in their classrooms, an increased emphasis on student creativity, problem-solving ability, and inventiveness. At a growing number of universities, student engineers are studying the creative process, developing advanced thinking and problem-solving skills, and learning to design by experience. Successful programs, projects, and research at premier engineering schools around the country are equipping students with the advanced creative and cognitive abilities required to succeed as contemporary professionals. This paper is a review of the innovative, multi-disciplinary, educational methodology that is manifest in several types of new efforts, including: 1) Engineering design in a studio atmosphere; 2) Engineering courses for creative problem-solving; 3) Encouraging creativity and insight through journal writing; 4) The agenda for creativity at the UK Centre for Materials Education; and 5) A focus on the personal creative process. Research for this review inspired The Creativity, Innovation, and Design Report, a new national publication dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation in engineering and applied science education.