Education Commons^™

With Love, ; An Interdisciplinary And Intersectional Look At Why Creativity Is Essential, Theo Starr Gardner

Whittier Scholars Program

My Whittier Scholars Program self-designed major, Teaching Creativity, is a mixture of Art, Literature, and Education classes. My research and praxis classes have been focused on the ‘how?’s and 'why?’s of creativity, so it felt only right that my project should be a constructivist, generative project. The project I have been working on throughout my time at Whittier, and that has just fully come to fruition on April 11th, 2024, was a solo art gallery/open mic event entitled ‘With Love,’. With Love, was conceptually inspired by the research I’ve conducted on creativity and creative arts education over the past few …

Space For Creative Decision-Making: How Art Is Being Taught, Nicky Perini

Whittier Scholars Program

Art classrooms are expected to help bolster students’ abilities to make creative choices and express themselves; however, there is no official approach to guide teachers on how to foster this in their classrooms, where they are also meant to teach formal elements and discuss the importance of art. In order to get a look at how teachers approach their classrooms in a way that is feasible within a school, I reviewed current literature about creativity, common practices, and theory, and then interviewed three middle school art teachers about how they conduct their classrooms. I found that there are vastly different …

How The Arts Benefit The Whole Child, Sophie Rose Fudim, Sophie Fudim

Whittier Scholars Program

This literature review draws on insights from scholars and arts advocates, it delves into the significance of incorporating artistic practices in schools and advocates for including arts education in public schools. This literature review utilizes studies, peer-reviewed research papers, and governmental recommendations based on current research. Art has a highly transformative power. It benefits the development of complex thought processes and offers insights into children's abilities. By integrating art into education, educators can address the evolving challenges of early childhood education and cultivate environments where students can be engaged by enthusiastic, trained teachers and get excited about learning. Art prepares …

Breaking Barriers: Enhancing Accessibility For Latin American Students In U.S. Higher Education, Maria Caceres

Whittier Scholars Program

In the dynamic realm of higher education, the pursuit of inclusivity and accessibility stands as a central endeavor. This research project delves into the hurdles faced by Latin American students aspiring to pursue opportunities in the United States, aiming to unravel the complexities of admission requirements and immigration processes. Against the backdrop of the evolving educational landscape post-COVID-19, the study seeks to redefine the higher education sector's approach, fostering an environment that transcends barriers and embraces a more inclusive ethos.

The research holds significance in its mission to illuminate the academic achievements of international students, particularly those from Latin America, …

How Informal Stem Learning Opportunities Benefit Diverse Communities, Bridget Musker

Whittier Scholars Program

In today's world, equitable access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education is imperative. However, minority and underrepresented communities often face barriers to participation in formal educational settings. Informal learning, occurring outside of the classroom, presents an opportunity for these communities to engage with STEM subjects in accessible and inclusive environments. Out of School Time (OST) programs and informal learning play a significant role in providing high quality, hands-on, experiential STEM education focused on skill building, and college and career readiness. Despite the importance of STEM learning, persistent disparities exist, particularly among culturally diverse communities, due to systemic discrimination …