2.1 What is Creativity? NC

A. What is Your Creativity Superpower?

Fighting invasive species requires creativity! We’re going to learn more about creativity to help us think about how we can use our creative superpowers to fight invasive species!

 

When you imagine a super-creative person, what do you think of? You might think of a painter or a musician. The truth is that different people use creativity in different ways.

 

Directions: Click on the pictures below to hear about each person’s creativity superpower. As you listen, ask yourself:

 

  • Which of these examples sounds most like you and why?
  • What is your creativity superpower? 

Mikayla

Joe

Diego

Naya

B. How are you Creative?

C. Creativity Game

You probably know that people use creativity to create beautiful art and music. But did you know that people use creativity to solve problems?

 

Japanese Bullet Train
One example is Japan’s famous bullet train. A bullet train is a train that carries passengers from one city to another at very high speeds. The first bullet train began in 1964. Check out the picture of one of the first bullet trains below.

 

Want to know how fast bullet trains can go? Click on the image hotspot below to find out!

One Big Problem:
The first bullet trains were fast, but they had a big problem! Each time the trains went through a tunnel, they pushed air into the tunnel, causing a lot of pressure to build up. Each time the trains came out of the tunnel, they pushed the air out, which caused a loud explosion sound. This was a big problem for people who lived nearby.

 

Directions: Fighting invasive species will take many creative solutions. There were also many creative solutions to the train problem. Read the different solutions and see if they were solutions that involved location, changing behavior or how people act, or changing design.

Which was the actual solution? Make a prediction.

One of these creative ideas is the actual solution that Japanese engineers used. This solution made the trains quieter. It also made the trains 10% faster and allowed them to use 15% less electricity. Do you know which solution they used? Make a prediction, then click on the solution below to find out what solution they used.

D. Reflect or Discuss

Think about the following questions. Reflect on your own or discuss with a partner:

  • Do you usually think of yourself as a creative person? Why or why not?
  • What are some ways you use your creativity?
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