ERIC Number: EJ1420585
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jul
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2520-8705
EISSN: EISSN-2520-8713
Cultivating Design Thinking of Middle School Girls through an Origami STEAM Project
Journal for STEM Education Research, v3 n2 p259-278 2020
This paper presents results from an exploratory case study on the use of Origami for developing design thinking with a group of 22 middle school girls participating in a summer STEM program. The case study combines the process of design thinking, common in STEM-based exploration, and aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) with the art of Origami as a tool for encouraging innovation and creative thinking. Student teams were challenged to design and build a three-dimensional Origami structure made of business cards that could withstand the weight of a typical middle school age student. Data in the form of observation during the design process and follow up interviews were utilized to determine the impact of the art-infused STEM approach. Overall, participants found the open-ended, exploratory nature of design thinking to be challenging though Origami engaged students, providing them with a familiar and approachable method to use for their designs. Initial findings provide support to a STEAM-based approach with consideration for structures that are best for collaboration and exploration.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Females, Art Education, STEM Education, Art Activities, Summer Programs, Design, Thinking Skills, Creative Thinking, Learner Engagement, Student Attitudes
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A