Hothousing: Utilising industry collaborative problem solving practices for STEAM in schools

Collaborative problem solving (CPS) has been widely used in both industry and schools over at least the last twenty years. The Industry Hothousing variant of CPS its adult format is an intensive, time-constrained workshop based process designed to build mutual trust between customers experts order synergically develop creative solutions together. Its potential use raises two important questions: Firstly, what degree structure support required unleash student creativity enhance learning - as or does need more structured methods including explicitly being taught collaborative skills? Secondly, enrichment activity taking up additional teacher time it potentially cross-curricular thus wider benefit teachers students? for students on intensive series workshops face-to-face on-line collaboration supported by a facilitator. It student-driven addresses open-ended challenge such “ "How do I get my friends LOVE STEAM?" “Design optimal solution city’s traffic problem.” raise friends’ interest toward learning?". Three case studies are introduced. From these was found that student-led within trusted framework drives creativity, good opportunity experience real life challenges. Positive benefits technology skills development, personal thinking (PLTS) enhanced perception self STEAM, this cross curricular providing qualitative efficiency gains.