A Study on the Development of a Creativity Education Program to Enhance Elementary Students' Creativity: Focusing on the Use of Creative Thinking Techniques and Maker Education

Objectives The purpose of this study is to design and develop a creativity enhancement education program for elementary school students by integrating creative thinking techniques with maker education, and to verify its validity through expert reviews as well as feedback from on-site instructors and learners. Methods In this study, a design and development research methodology was employed. First, a review of prior literature on educational programs aimed at fostering creativity was conducted. Needs analysis were then carried out with creativity experts, teachers, and learners to identify implications for development. Based on these findings, an educational program incorporating creative thinking techniques and maker education was designed, consisting of a total of 34 sessions. The initially designed program underwent two rounds of expert review by one creativity content expert and three educational experts. Afterward, three on-site instructors and three learners participated in a user feedback process to assess their responses to the program. Through these processes, the program was revised and refined, and final outputs, including a manual, instructional materials, and learner materials, were developed. Results Two rounds of expert review focusing on the educational program confirmed its overall validity. In the usability evaluation conducted with learners, the program’s content structure, educational methods, and overall appropriateness each received scores of 4 or higher out of 5 (CVI=1.00, IRA=1.00). In the usability evaluation by instructors, all items scored full marks (5 out of 5, CVI=1.00, IRA=1.00). Conclusions This study confirmed that the newly developed educational program and supporting materials effectively enhance elementary school students’ creativity. The results provide concrete references and guidance for future creativity education initiatives for elementary school learners.