Wolfgang Aschauer

This study is based on the urgent need to adapt education systems to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It examines the implementation of the “Innovative FOCUS” program at the secondary school level to promote creative problem-solving skills in the sustainability context. The Innovative FOCUS program employs a two-stage approach, integrating flexibility, originality, creative personality development, and strategic planning. It includes in-service teacher training and a challenge-based learning framework in which students engage in real-world sustainability projects. The program’s effectiveness was evaluated through teacher and student feedback focusing on the development of prototypes addressing sustainability challenges. The implementation of the InFOCUS program in 19 secondary schools demonstrated significant effectiveness. Teachers indicated that the program’s tools were effective in promoting students’ creativity and problem-solving skills. Of the 64 student teams, 62 successfully developed innovative prototypes, reflecting an improved capacity for innovative thinking and underlining the practical impact of the program. The Innovative FOCUS program effectively integrates sustainability education with creative and critical thinking skills. It demonstrates the potential of challenge-based learning in transforming students’ approaches to real-world problems, aligning education with 21st-century sustainability goals. The program’s success highlights the importance of such innovative approaches in contemporary education systems.