Every teacher knows the importance of important thinking in education. Strong critical thinkers make much better choices, are more informed, have more career opportunities, and are typically much better equipped to navigate the difficulties of everyday life.

Terra Tarango, Director and Education Officer, Van Andel Institute for EducationTerra Tarango is the Director and Education Officer for Van Andel Institute for Education, a Michigan-based not-for-profit that works to create classrooms where interest, imagination, and critical thinking flourish. For more information about VAI please visit vaei.org.

In the classroom, crucial thinking is vital to the development and betterment of our trainees. Its not enough for them to merely memorize that 6 times 6 equals 36; they also need to understand the underlying concept behind the formula. And, when implemented, it can unleash trainee potential in ways weve never ever dreamed.

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While these are obviously severe examples, the truth remains that students like that might be in your classroom. What are we doing to guarantee that their important thinking is being created and allowed to grow?

Simply think about Ann Makosinski (16 ), a trainee who produced a flashlight that is powered by her own thermal energy. Kelvin Doe (13 ), of Sierra Leone, constructed a radio transmitter and generator for his village out of spare parts. Another trainee, Gitanjali Rao (12 ), was inspired by the crisis in Flint, Michigan, to develop a method to send out water-quality info by means of Bluetooth.