“The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done – men who are creative, inventive and discoverers.” — Jean Piaget
Quote taken from: https://www.quotes.net/quote/16376
Image taken from: https://www.iris.xyz/advisor/avoid-innovation-theatre
Education Minister (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng stated in a speech that innovation is a “critical pivot” to a better future. In the workforce, many employers will also be looking for innovative employees who could value-add to the company.
According to him, innovation is “an ongoing process of intentional exploration” that requires one to take some risks in order to achieve a larger purpose. It is “not a single eureka moment”. Innovation requires hard work, persistence and perseverance. Students need to be prepared to be courageous in venturing out and overcome setbacks and even failures along the way, because “innovation can be messy”.
How can you develop your ‘Innovation Quotient’?
Foster Imagination
Spend time in nature.
Dedicate time for free-play and day-dreaming (just try to avoid doing this during lessons!)
Carry out tasks that you find meaningful and interesting.
These tasks should generate your interest and develop your competence and skills.
Be Inquisitiveness
Be observant about the world
Ask ‘Why’ and ‘Why not?’
Identify problems that are important and worth-solving
Find new solutions and answers to the questions/problem
Make Interconnections
Appreciate each subject that you are learning in school
“Join the dots” and make rich, deep, and unexpected interconnections.
Much innovation happens at the borders of established fields and knowledge, when unexpected skills collide, and new ways of thinking cross-fertilise
You CAN be innovative!
Check out what some teenagers have invented to make the world a better place.
Read more about inventions by teenagers:
Many of the inventions were developed because of the teenagers’ determination to solve problems that they or their loved ones have observed or encountered. Their innovations serve to make a positive impact by changing and improving people’s lives.
What problems have you encountered in your school or community? How could you resolve these problems innovatively?
Don’t know where to begin? Try out the Design Thinking Process and give a go at solving some real-life problems! Remember, there can be few hits, and many misses! But persevere!
Still clueless of what to do? Let’s get your brain ready to unlock some creative juices. Look at the infographic to get some ideas! Don’t underestimate what your brain can do!
Sources:
- https://interestingengineering.com/8-inventions-from-teenagers-who-want-to-change-the-world
- https://www.creativityatwork.com/2012/01/04/creativity-quotes-creativity-innovation-in-the-workplace/
- https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/speeches/speech-by-mr-ng-chee-meng–minister-of-education-schools–at-the-20th-appointment-and-appreciation-ceremony-for-principals
- https://think360studio.com/what-is-design-thinking-and-design-thinking-process/
Shubham Banerjee & Intel Edison | Meet the Makers | Intel
