Creating 'Learning by Making' with Trial and Error and Inventive Ingenuity

The document chronicles the 2022 educational research symposium at Ochanomizu University Junior High School. It centers on developing an educational approach termed "tsukuru manabi," highlighting trial and error and inventive learning in various subjects. The school's principal, Kyoko Aikawa, presents the theme, mirroring the institution's dedication to fostering resilient and autonomous thinkers who can adapt to shifting social contexts. The research revisits past activities and methods that promote creative thinking and suggests a future curriculum incorporating these insights. The paper delineates contemporary educational challenges, underscoring the necessity of adaptable, creative problem-solving abilities in an increasingly volatile and complex world. It reviews previous research and practices in enhancing creative thinking, both domestically and globally, acknowledging the significance of "deep knowledge" and discipline-specific competencies in nurturing creativity. The school's strategy involves integrating creative thinking into every subject, utilizing the unique perspectives and cognitive approaches of each discipline. The research spans three years, concentrating on cultivating creative thinking across subjects and ultimately across the school's extensive curriculum. In conclusion, the proceedings of this symposium present a detailed strategy to boost students' creative thinking by merging and employing varied learning techniques and subject-specific insights. It endorses a learning environment that fosters inquiry, experimentation, and the generation of novel ideas throughout all study areas.