Recapturing American Innovation Through Education: The Creativity Challenge for Schools

Abstract

This chapter introduces a research-based model for how educators can cultivate creative Climates, nurture creative Attitudes, and develop creative Thinking skills (CATs) in students. Described is how the current test-centric climate of the American education system smothers creativity in its students, leading to the creativity crisis in the United States. The chapter describes the components of the CATs model (Kim KH, The creativity challenge: how we can recapture American innovation. Prometheus, Amherst, 2016): the ION (i.e., inbox, outbox, newbox) thinking skills, 27 creative attitudes, and 4S climates (i.e., sun, storm, soil, and space) that are necessary for creativity development in students. The chapter also addresses how the CATs model can be used as a resistive theory and practice to provide educators with the potential to rekindle the creativity that has been lost. The CATs model can be practically integrated into educators’ pedagogical practices. Ways are suggested for educators to cultivate creative climates, nurture creative attitudes, and develop creative thinking skills in students, such as by using children’s picture books.