Discovering Shokunin Spirit Among Young Students Through Constructionist Woodworking Project-based Learning Approach

The Shokunin philosophy, while relatively new and understudied in the context of constructionist project-based learning (PBL), remains unexplored in terms of how younger children perceive it. This research aims to investigate how young children interested in woodworking exhibit the Shokunin spirit within a constructionist PBL framework. Six students from Darunsikkhalai School for Innovative Learning, comprising four females and two males with an average age of 13.95 years $(S D=0.33)$, participated in the study. All participants consented to be interviewed, with interviews lasting between 10 and 15 minutes. Thematic analysis of the data revealed six key themes: passion and persistence, skill development journey, managing perfectionist tendencies, teamwork and collaboration, embracing challenges, and connection to craftsmanship. This study offers valuable insights for educators on integrating the Shokunin spirit into their teaching practices, promoting holistic growth in both character and competency.