Problem Solving and Creative Thinking are Essential Skills

 

"I AM CONVINCED THAT HUMAN FLIGHT IS BOTH POSSIBLE AND PRACTICAL."

-WILBUR WRIGHT, 1899

At the time Wilbur Wright made this statement this was a completely radical and unbelievable concept.  To most people the idea of humans flying was absurd!  However, a little over 70 years later man was not only flying, but we were sending people to the moon.  In a person’s lifetime, they could have marveled at the first flight in 1903, and seen the first flight to the moon on television in 1969.  That is an astounding accomplishment in a relatively short period of time.

Since the time of the first flight, thousands of jobs that never existed have been created-  pilots, airplane mechanics, and air traffic controllers just to name a few.  Students going to school during the time Wilbur and Orville were experimenting with flight could never have imagined these careers.  The same holds true today. The careers that our children need to be prepared for may not even exist today.  So, how can we make sure our children are ready?  We need to prepare them to be problem solvers and creative thinkers.  They need to know how to work collaboratively with others to accomplish a goal. Students need the opportunity to struggle through difficult challenges and find solutions.  Students also need a solid background in the basics- reading, writing, and mathematics- to be prepared for their future.  They need to put this knowledge to use with new challenges.  Who knows what the future may bring.  But, if we give our children the necessary skills, they will be prepared for whatever careers come along.