A longitudinal investigation of gifted students’ creative project production and management for real-life problem solving

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the production and dissemination of mathematical modeling-based projects by gifted students, intended to solve real-life problems, over the four-year Project Production and Management Program (PPMP). The longitudinal research methodology was utilized to examine the project production process among participants enrolled in the mathematical modeling-based PPMP at Science and Art Centers. Throughout the four-year period, while participants engaged in producing mathematical modeling-based projects within the PPMP, data were systematically collected on an annual basis from various sources. These included personal information forms, project logs, project forms, as well as observation and evaluation forms pertinent to the project production and management program, complemented by project follow-up forms.The study's findings indicated that, over the four-year PPMP, gifted students demonstrated significant improvements in project production and management. These enhancements were observed across various dimensions, including progress, real-life applicability, project value, planning, originality, final product quality, and dissemination efforts. The findings of this study offer practical guidelines for assisting gifted students in leveraging their talents and potential to create original products and solutions.