Teaching chemistry as a creative subject

Abstract

Chemistry is a creative field focused on exploring new possibilities. However, students rarely look at chemistry as a creative discipline. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to reconsider the way chemistry is taught to younger generations. In this Perspective Paper, creativity as a learning goal is explored and related to goals communicated in chemistry education research. A connection is made to related engineering STEM fields in which the call for creativity has been recognized more than in chemistry education. As in other fields, creative chemists stand out in alternating between creative – and critical thinking, coupled with their field specific knowledge and skills. These skills do not develop in tandem. Probably, it is often not possible, or wise, to address all three goals at the same moment. Assignments that steer to making comparisions are likely to initiatie critical thinking first, assignments aimed at proposing new solutions stimulate creative thinking first. Students' awareness of creative options in their assignments affects their creative learning experience. The mindset students have developed on how science – and their science assessments – should look like could influence their critical – and creative thinking. The creative learning possibilities educators offer, the way they build up their assignments and how they communicate explicitly and implicitly on goals and expectations, could be the key to stimulate chemistry students’ creativity.