Creative thinking skills in education are becoming more important than ever. Recently, students from Coláiste Muire Máthair in Galway City took part in EU Bang’s Innovation Week, a European initiative led by the creative leadership school Kaospilot in Denmark and supported in Ireland by The B!G Idea, the nationwide creative thinking programme for students aged 15–19.
This exciting collaboration placed Irish students at the heart of international innovation and learning.
EU Bang focuses on developing creative thinking skills in the classroom. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, creative thinking is now one of the most in-demand skills globally.
As automation, AI and sustainability challenges reshape the workforce, the ability to think creatively is no longer optional. Instead, it is essential.
From September 11th to 15th, Galway students travelled to the Educational Innovation Festival in Aarhus, Denmark. There, they worked alongside learners and teachers from Italy, Denmark, Croatia and Greece.
During the week, students:
In particular, they helped trial The Learning Framework, a digital resource designed to support teachers in embedding creativity into everyday classroom practice.
The experience had a powerful impact on both students and teachers.
Teacher Sinéad Phillips explained:
“The skills they have taken from the different activities and challenges will benefit them not only in future school projects but well into their adult lives.”
She also reflected on how the initiative reshaped her own teaching approach:
“We have to work not to shut down different approaches just because they don’t fit the exam model. Instead, we need to scaffold students so they can follow their own thinking to the answer.”
As a result, students gained independence, resilience and confidence.
Student Daehan Coll shared how the experience changed his mindset:
“There are many challenges in life. If young people can think creatively, this will help them come up with solutions they might not see initially.”
He added:
“I’ve learned not to give up if I can’t find the answer on the first go. I try another way and look at it from a different perspective. Now I find challenges less intimidating.”
Clearly, creative thinking helps young people approach problems with curiosity rather than fear.
Kaospilot partnered with The B!G Idea and three additional European institutions to develop the free, open-source Bang Learning Framework (banglearningframework.eu).
This framework provides teachers with practical tools to bring creative thinking skills into their classrooms.
According to Siobhan Blaney, Head of Education at The B!G Idea:
“Creative thinking boosts motivation, builds confidence and resilience, enhances problem-solving skills and improves academic outcomes. We were delighted to contribute our expertise to the EU Bang project.”
The Galway students and teachers will share their insights at an upcoming event:
Exploring the Future of Youth Education with BANG
📅 10 October (Erasmus Days)
📩 To register: siobhan@thebigidea.ie
This event will celebrate European collaboration and highlight the growing importance of creative thinking skills in secondary education.
