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What Are the Awards?
Testaments to all
the innovators in education
The International Creative Thinking in Schools are testaments to all the innovators in education. They are dedicated to recognizing and honoring individuals and organizations at the forefront of embedding creative thinking in teaching and learning. They highlight examples of creativity in every subject of the school curriculum.
In 2024, our theme is “Creative Thinking in Education for Climate Action”. As well as shining a light on the different ways in which creativity can be embedded in all aspects of school life, we will spotlight educators and institutions worldwide who are harnessing the power of creative thinking to bring positive changes. These visionaries are not just educators; they are environmental champions, fostering innovative approaches in the battle against climate change.
Award 2024
Award Rules
The Awards are set to stimulate the sustainable development of creativity projects in schools rather than focusing on competition, as we encourage project submissions in multiple formats.
Committee Chair
Welcome from the Committee Chair
Creativity is vital to success today. That’s why curricula across the world are changing to include explicit opportunities for young people to develop their creative thinking skills. In 2022, for the first time, the Programmed for International Assessment (PISA) measured the creative thinking of 15-year-old students in an international comparative setting. We selected creative thinking to help to raise the status of this important human competence.
Luckily, creative thinking is not a magic power. It can be learned, and it can be taught. Schools, therefore, have an absolutely essential role in cultivating creativity and these Global Awards can play a significant role in helping us understand what this looks like when it is done really well.
The Creativity in Education Awards are open to all schools, and we invite entries from individuals, teams and whole institutions. I very much look forward to seeing examples of your creativity at work.
Committee Chair
Welcome from the Committee Chair
Andreas Schleicher
Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at OECD
Andreas Schleicher
Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at OECD
2024 THEME
Creative Thinking in Education
for Climate Action
In selecting “Creative Thinking in Education for Climate Action,” we embrace the transformative power of creative thought and educational innovation in helping to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.
The theme recognises the extraordinary contributions that educators, students and educational institutions are making to sow the seeds for change.
Eco-Friendly School Initiatives
Using creativity to recognise and encourage sustainable practices within educational institutions.
Climate Action through Science and Technology
Integrating creative thinking, science and technology to enhance the understanding of climate challenges and generate solutions for the challenges.
Global Collaboration for Climate Solutions
Using creative approaches to promote international collaboration in addressing global climate challenges.
International Committee
An Expert International Committee to
Judge the Awards
Andreas Schleicher
Director, Education and Skills, OECD
Tao Zhan
Director, UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education
Stéphan Vincent-Lancrin
Deputy Head, Centre for Educational Research & Innovation, OECD
Bill Lucas
Chair, Advisory Committee, GIoCT , Professor of Learning, University of Winchester
Valerie Hannon
Co-Founder, Innovation Unit & Global Education Leaders Partnership
Angela M. Bravo Chacon
Education Specialist, UNESCO Peru, Former National Director of Secondary Education at MoE PERU
Zhongying Shi
Dean, Institute of Education, Tsinghua University
Antionette Carroll
President and CEO, Creative Reaction Lab & Institute of Equitable Design and Justice
Margaret S. Barrett
Head of Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Founding Director of PoCCEE, Monash University
Barbara Schneider
John A. Hannah University Distinguished Professor, College of Education and the Department of Sociology Michigan State University
Priscila Torres
Head, Escola Concept School
Carolyn Roberts
Headteacher, Thomas Tallis School, London
Mark A. Runco
Director, Creativity Research and Programming, Southern Oregon University
Kaleb Rashad
Interim CEO, High-Tech-High Creative Director & Co-Founder, Centre for Love & Justice, HTH Graduate School of Education
Tony Simmons
Executive Director, High School for Recording Arts
International Committee
An Expert International Committee to
Judge the Awards
Andreas Schleicher
Director, Education and Skills, OECD
Tao Zhan
Director, UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education
Stéphan Vincent-Lancrin
Deputy Head, Centre for Educational Research & Innovation, OECD
Bill Lucas
Chair, Advisory Committee, GIoCT , Professor of Learning, University of Winchester
Angela M. Bravo Chacon
Education Specialist, UNESCO Peru, Former National Director of Secondary Education at MoE PERU
Valerie Hannon
Co-Founder, Innovation Unit & Global Education Leaders Partnership
Zhongying Shi
Dean, Institute of Education, Tsinghua University
Antionette Carroll
President and CEO, Creative Reaction Lab & Institute of Equitable Design and Justice
Margaret S. Barrett
Head of Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Founding Director of PoCCEE, Monash University
Tony Simmons
Executive Director, High School for Recording Arts
Barbara Schneider
John A. Hannah University Distinguished Professor, College of Education and the Department of Sociology Michigan State University
Priscila Torres
Head, Escola Concept School
Mark A. Runco
Director, Creativity Research and Programming, Southern Oregon University
Carolyn Roberts
Headteacher, Thomas Tallis School, London
Kaleb Rashad
Interim CEO, High-Tech-High Creative Director & Co-Founder, Centre for Love & Justice, HTH Graduate School of Education
The International Committee, in adherence to its established rules and categories, will select the award winners for the competition. Eligible teachers and educators eligible can hail from any level of K-12 education.
To partake in the competition, participants must be nominated with an original case study that falls within the rules of the Award, as detailed below, and which demonstrates an enduring value and impact. If participating as a team or representing a school, no additions or substitutions of team members are permissible once the shortlisted projects are announced. Moreover, each organisation can nominate only one case study for consideration.
Based on the nominated case studies, the international committee will proceed to nominate candidates for either group prizes or individual accolades. These guidelines are integral to maintaining fairness and integrity throughout the nomination and award process.
International Committee's Selection Process for K-12 Educator Awards
The International Committee, in adherence to its established rules and categories, will select the award winners for the competition. Eligible teachers and educators eligible can hail from any level of K-12 education.
Nomination Requirements and Restrictions for Competition Participants
To partake in the competition, participants must be nominated with an original case study that falls within the rules of the Award, as detailed below, and which demonstrates an enduring value and impact. If participating as a team or representing a school, no additions or substitutions of team members are permissible once the shortlisted projects are announced. Moreover, each organisation can nominate only one case study for consideration.
Ensuring Fairness and Integrity in the Nomination and Award Process
Based on the nominated case studies, the international committee will proceed to nominate candidates for either group prizes or individual accolades. These guidelines are integral to maintaining fairness and integrity throughout the nomination and award process.
Awards Ceremony 2024
Awards Ceremony
17 October, 2024
The official awards ceremony takes place annually, typically in second or third week of October, during the Creativity in Education Summit. The ceremony includes welcoming remarks from experts associated with the power of creative thinking in education, commendations from the committee and the chair, award presentations, and acceptance speeches by those given awards.
Ceremony videos will be taken to ensure a worldwide audience can participate in celebrating each awardee.
The Creative Thinking in Education awardees receive global recognition, a grant and a distinctive medal.
