This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Catherine Thimmesh discusses why creativity is an essential tool for today’s students, and how teachers can easily encourage and foster the development of creative thinking skills. Along the way, she dispels some commonly held myths about what creativity is or is not, suggests some concrete prompts that can be used quickly in any classroom, and bemoans the fact that she still doesn’t have a jet pack!

Catherine Thimmesh is an award-winning children's book author, currently focusing on creative nonfiction. (Her books include the Sibert medal-winning book "TEAM MOON: How 400,000 people landed Apollo 11 on the Moon"; and most recently, "SCALY SPOTTED FEATHERED FRILLED: How do we know what dinosaurs really looked like?") Catherine will address the topic of Creativity in the Classroom. Shell provide concrete suggestions for fostering creativity that can be used in any classroom and that take five minutes or less to implement, require no prep or monetary resources, and can be put into action immediately.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)