Regina Berkó

The Cyborg Project: Enhancing Creative and Complex Problem-Solving Skills through a Prosthesis Design Programme for 15–16-Year-Olds

Regina Berkó – University of Szeged, Hungary

Abstract:

The PISA survey offers a global view of student skills in reading, mathematics, and science, with the 2022 assessment highlighting the value of creative thinking in high-achieving educational systems, particularly those with arts-rich curricula. Building on these findings, our study examines how arts-based activities can foster creativity and problem-solving. Through an international collaboration, Finland, Japan, Italy, and Hungary are assessing the impact of visual education on these skills, with each partner institution developing a unique programme focused on enhancing creativity and complex problem-solving. This presentation will share initial results from a ten-week pilot conducted with 15–16-year-old students at a Hungarian technical school, where students worked in teams to design functional prosthetics with innovative capabilities. Both creativity and complex problem-solving skills were measured, and the Rubric reflective method was used for the self-assessment of students, allowing them to track their development. The findings from these assessments, along with insights into the growth of hands-on creativity and complex problem-solving abilities, will be shared, offering valuable implications for educators and policymakers aiming to integrate interdisciplinary, skills-based learning approaches.