What is it?
Creative Inquiry has been described as engaged learning and as undergraduate research. Here at Clemson University, it's both of these and more.
Students take on problems that spring from their own curiosity, from a professor's challenge or from the pressing needs of the world around them. Team-based investigations are led by a faculty mentor and typically span three to four semesters. Students take ownership of their projects and take the risks necessary to solve problems and get answers.
"We want all of our graduates to be thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs," says Provost Dori Helms. "We want them to be able to approach a task or problem and figure out how to solve it."
Topics are boundless. Students often find themselves presenting their work at national conferences, fielding questions from professionals. This invaluable experience produces exceptional graduates. Our Creative Inquiry participants develop critical thinking skills, learn to solve problems as a team and hone their communication and presentation skills.
FT Press
The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price,
by Lynn O'Shaughnessy, recognized this innovative approach to learning.
"Unfortunately, the experiences that Clemson students enjoy are not
nearly common enough amoung undergraduates elsewhere," says
O'Shaughnessy.
Creative Inquiry is available to every undergraduate student, and anyone can suggest a new project.
What does it take?
Commitment and curiosity! You'll need the desire to be creative, to work with a group of peers over several semesters and to be mentored by a faculty member or advanced graduate student. Course credit is given.