One method of making magic squares using a prolongated square is illustrated. Discussed are third-order magic squares, fractional magic squares, fifth-order magic squares, decimal magic squares, and even magic squares. (CW)

Attempts to provide an intuitive understanding of steady state kinetics. Discusses the meaning of steady state and uses free energy profiles to illustrate and follow complex kinetic and thermodynamic relationships. Provides examples with explanations. (MVL)

Current school restructuring challenges passivity and rigidity and provides new openings in experience, which creates good contexts for art education and aesthetic education. The paper discusses how such education opens people to visions of the possible rather than the predictable, thus creating a community of distinctive individuals. (SM)

Describes activities of kindergarten through grade-four students in an art classroom that emphasizes expression of creative process along with the product. Explores interconnections between art, thinking, and writing as expressed by a former language arts teacher who transfers her knowledge of language, words, and creative expression to art. (BAC)

A model of transformational change in education is presented and implications for guiding students to higher levels of communication, critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal relationships, and creativity are explored. (AEF)

Describes the Chita Institute for the Improvement of Qualifications which employs 120 specialist trainers for Sourthern Siberia. The institute uses a block-circle system for improving teacher qualifications (referring to the combined subject matter specialties and cyclic nature of the process). The system helps teachers realize creative…

Describes "Bop," a game that considers solely the sequence of letters. Words are determined to be equivalent if different letters of one word become different letters in the other word in exactly the same order. Examples of four-, five-, and six-letter words and BOProblems are provided. (MDH)

Gives an example of an open exploration using trigonometric relationships in which the law of cosines can be deduced from the law of sines. Discusses the characteristics and value of the exploration process. (MDH)

The report "Workplace Basics: the Skills Employers Want" was based on interviews with hundreds of employers, who identified seven groups of desirable skills: reading, writing, and computation; listening and speaking; learning to learn, problem-solving and creative thinking; personal management; teamwork; and leadership and organizational…

Presents illustrated examples that promote problem solving through the student's consideration of a visible predicament from a three-dimensional viewpoint rather than the typical planar perspective. Includes six student exercises involving rays, circles, quadrilaterals, and hexagons, with hints and solutions provided. (JJK)

A more parsimonious interpretation of the factor structure of creativity tests than that afforded by the original study was found in this reanalysis of a study of 403 sixth graders by P. Merrifield, J. Guilford, and A. Gershon (1963). The prior analysis extracted and rotated too many factors. (SLD)

This paper reviews trends in research into creativity and describes the Profiling Project which is examining Creative Problem Solving (CPS), an ecologically based process model used to define problems, generate ideas, and refine solutions. Research into five dimensions of CPS are proposed: the situational outlook, personal orientation, outcomes,…

Describes what research has found about the use of collaborative mind mapping to facilitate the development of constructivist preservice teacher education programs. The paper discusses explicit connections between collaborative mind mapping and constructivism, varieties of mind maps, mind mapping as an invitation to thought, and how to use mind…

Journal writing lets teachers explore their practice, document classroom life, and reflect on experiences. Journals help develop understanding and insights which enrich professional judgment. The teacher's spirit of inquiry creates school culture. Self-view and creativity are crucial to teaching and must not be lost during educational development.…

Suggests that individual differences in visual imagery and failure to realize their existence may have affected theories of thought throughout history. Offers possible explanations for the failure to validate thinking style differences in educationally significant ways. Argues that increased understanding of mental imagery can improve teaching.…