research papers (articles and chapters)
- Jirout, J., *Evans, N., & Son, L. (2024). Curiosity in Children. Nature Reviews – Psychology.
- Jirout, J., *Evans, N., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2024). Curious? The relationship between curiosity and creativity is likely NOT novelty. Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
- Jirout, J. J, & Evans, N. (2023). Exploring to learn: Curiosity, breadth and depth of exploration, and recall in young children. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, 45. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/00v1441r
- Evans, N., Burke, R., Vitiello, V, & Zumbrunn, S., & Jirout, J. (2023). Curiosity-promoting instruction: Frequency of occurrence and relation to motivation and student engagement. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 39, 101333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101333
*Evans, N. & Jirout, J. (2023). Children’s Creativity and Curiosity During Information-Seeking Tasks. Journal of Creativity, 3(1), 100038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjoc.2022.100038 - Jirout, J., Ruzek, E., Vitiello, V., Whittaker, J. V., & Pianta, R. (2023). School enjoyment and the relation to the development of general knowledge. Child Development, 94(2), e119-e127. https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cdev.13878
- Jirout, J. and *Matthews, S. (July, 2022). Developing intellectual character: An educational perspective on how uncertainty-driven curiosity can support learning. In R. Beghetto and G. Jaegger (Eds.) Uncertainty: A catalyst for creativity, learning and development. New York, NY: Springer.
- Jirout, J., Zumbrunn, S., *Evans, N., & Vitiello, V. (2022). Development and testing of the Curiosity in Classrooms Framework coding protocol. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.875161
- Jirout, J., *Little, O. R., & *Carroll, M. (2022). Creating authentic engagement in online study participation for children. SAGE Research Methods. https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781529799477
- Jirout, J. (2020). Supporting early scientific thinking through curiosity and question asking. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1717. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01717
- Jirout, J., & Klahr, D. (2020). Questions–And Some Answers–About Young Children’s Questions. Journal of Cognition and Development, 21(5), 729-753. https://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2020.1832492
Research presentation slide decks
- Evans, N., Jirout, J., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (April, 2022). Developing Comfort with Uncertainty to Support Curiosity and Creativity. Paper presented at the AERA Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
- Jirout, J. & Evans, N. (April, 2022). Curiosity, Information Seeking, and Academic Courage: What influences the desire to learn in school contexts? Presentation given at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pre-Conference Workshop: Balancing trust and skepticism in the times of fake news: The development of epistemic reasoning and intellectual humility, Madison, WI.
- Jirout, J. (April, 2022). Curious about curiosity: Rethinking the priorities of education. [Talk]. UVA School of Education and Human Development Lectureship Series, University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA.
- Jirout, J. & Zumbrunn, S. (April, 2022). Teaching for curiosity: What the research says about using uncertainty and autonomy support to promote students’ engagement and learning. [Talk]. Workshop talk given at the Sabot Institute for Teaching and Learning Symposium. Online.
- Scoville, J., Evans, N., & Jirout, J. (November, 2021). Perceptions of and experiences with curiosity in children. Poster presented at the Trends in Psychology Summit, Online.
- Jirout, J. (November, 2021). Curious about curiosity: Measuring children’s desire to know and the role of curiosity in education. [Talk]. UVA Cognitive Psychology Brownbag Series, University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA.
- Jirout, J. (August, 2021). Promoting curiosity to promote learning: A study of curiosity and question-asking. [Talk]. EARLI SIG 5 Symposia on Creativity, Flexibility, and Curiosity. European Association for Research in Learning and Instruction. Online due to COVID19. (video)
- Jirout, J., Zumbrunn, S., Vitiello, V. (May, 2021). Designing for Curiosity: Using Uncertainty and Autonomy Support to Promote Engagement and Learning. Workshop presented at the 8th Annual Innovations in Pedagogy Conference, Online.
- Jirout, J., Ruzek, E., Vitiello, V., Whittaker, J., & Pianta, R. (2021, April). School Enjoyment and its Relation to the Development of General Knowledge. [Paper presentation]. SRCD Biennial Meeting, Online. (video)
- Jirout, J. (March, 2021) Promoting Curiosity in the Classroom to Support Learning. Lecture at the LEAD Graduate School & Research Network. University of Tübingen.
- Jirout, J. (December, 2020). Supporting learning by supporting inquiry: The role of curiosity in education. Research presentation given during the School of Education and Human Development Faculty Meeting, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Research Poster Presentations
Click on the poster title to see a PDF of the poster!
Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Understanding the Relation Between Curiosity and Creativity in Elementary Students. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Hutchins, N., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Unveiling Curiosity: A Multi-Dimensional Exploration of K-3rd Graders' Curiosity. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Thomas, K., Krissinger, A., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Exploring in depth: Examining children's exploration in a revised curiosity task. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Krissinger, A., Thomas, K., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Explaining exploration: Children's reasoning behind their information seeking. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Herboso, M., Soong, C., Hutchins, N., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Investigating the Relation between Curiosity and Creativity with Elementary Students. Poster presented at the Hunter Student Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA.
Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Understanding the Relation Between Curiosity and Creativity in Elementary Students. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Hutchins, N., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Unveiling Curiosity: A Multi-Dimensional Exploration of K-3rd Graders' Curiosity. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Thomas, K., Krissinger, A., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Exploring in depth: Examining children's exploration in a revised curiosity task. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Krissinger, A., Thomas, K., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Explaining exploration: Children's reasoning behind their information seeking. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society Meeting, Pasadena, CA.
Herboso, M., Soong, C., Hutchins, N., Evans, N., Jirout, J. (April 2024) Investigating the Relation between Curiosity and Creativity with Elementary Students. Poster presented at the Hunter Student Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA.
Practitioner / Partner Publications and Presentations to non-Academic Audiences
Evans, N., Jirout, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2023). Commentary: What ChatGPT can’t do: Educating for curiosity and creativity. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-chatgpt-cant-do-educating-for-curiosity-and-creativity/
Cultivating Curiosity in Montessori Classrooms. Workshop given at the VA Montessori Annual Conference. (November, 2022)
Promoting Curiosity in the Classroom to Support Learning. Workshop given at the Virginia Head Start Annual Training Conference. (October, 2022)
Curiosity at Staunton – “the hunger to explore, the spark of wanting to meet the world”: Early information about the Curiosity in Classrooms project data – 2022. Presentation provided for partner school. (October, 2022)
Promoting curiosity at Sabot . . . "it's the magic!": Early information about the Curiosity in Classrooms project data – 2022. Presentation provided for partner school. (September, 2022)
Teaching for curiosity: What the research says about using uncertainty and autonomy support to promote students’ engagement and learning. Symposium Workshop given at the Sabot Stonypoint Annual Symposium. (2022)
Curiosity in the Classroom: Promoting Child Curiosity, Exploration, Questions, & Scientific Thinking. Session provided at the Learning & the Brain conference on "Schooling the Self: Promoting Self-Esteem, Self-Concepts, Awareness, Compassion, and Curiosity for Achievement and Self-Actualization". New York City, NY. session slides.
Cultivating Curiosity in Montessori Classrooms. Workshop given at the VA Montessori Annual Conference. (November, 2022)
Promoting Curiosity in the Classroom to Support Learning. Workshop given at the Virginia Head Start Annual Training Conference. (October, 2022)
Curiosity at Staunton – “the hunger to explore, the spark of wanting to meet the world”: Early information about the Curiosity in Classrooms project data – 2022. Presentation provided for partner school. (October, 2022)
Promoting curiosity at Sabot . . . "it's the magic!": Early information about the Curiosity in Classrooms project data – 2022. Presentation provided for partner school. (September, 2022)
Teaching for curiosity: What the research says about using uncertainty and autonomy support to promote students’ engagement and learning. Symposium Workshop given at the Sabot Stonypoint Annual Symposium. (2022)
Curiosity in the Classroom: Promoting Child Curiosity, Exploration, Questions, & Scientific Thinking. Session provided at the Learning & the Brain conference on "Schooling the Self: Promoting Self-Esteem, Self-Concepts, Awareness, Compassion, and Curiosity for Achievement and Self-Actualization". New York City, NY. session slides.
media highlights of this project
Breen, A. (July 2, 2024). Boredom can be great for kids. UVA Today. https://news.virginia.edu/content/boredom-can-be-great-kids
Womack, G. (June 28, 2024). Why you want your kids to be bored this summer. NBC29 News. https://www.29news.com/2024/06/28/why-you-want-your-kids-be-bored-this-summer/
The developmental scientist asking “what is curiosity?” Blog on Learning & Development. 2024. https://bold.expert/the-developmental-scientist-asking-what-is-curiosity/
McConnell, S. (September 8, 2023). Safe To Wonder on With Good Reason. A program of Virginia Humanities. Podcast: https://www.withgoodreasonradio.org/episode/open-book/
Eva, A. L. (October 17, 2022). Four Ways to Inspire Humble Curiosity in Your Students: Humility and curiosity can encourage students to be passionate about learning and open to others’ perspectives. Greater Good Magazine.
Borton, L., (May 13, 2021). Science Thinking, Uncertainty & Kids, with Jamie Jirout. “Radio Arlington” WERA-LP 96.7 FM. Podcast
Clay, A.K. (January 13, 2021). Curious About Curiosity? Professor Studies How Children Learn. UVA Today.
- Picked up by several online news sources.
Womack, G. (June 28, 2024). Why you want your kids to be bored this summer. NBC29 News. https://www.29news.com/2024/06/28/why-you-want-your-kids-be-bored-this-summer/
The developmental scientist asking “what is curiosity?” Blog on Learning & Development. 2024. https://bold.expert/the-developmental-scientist-asking-what-is-curiosity/
McConnell, S. (September 8, 2023). Safe To Wonder on With Good Reason. A program of Virginia Humanities. Podcast: https://www.withgoodreasonradio.org/episode/open-book/
Eva, A. L. (October 17, 2022). Four Ways to Inspire Humble Curiosity in Your Students: Humility and curiosity can encourage students to be passionate about learning and open to others’ perspectives. Greater Good Magazine.
Borton, L., (May 13, 2021). Science Thinking, Uncertainty & Kids, with Jamie Jirout. “Radio Arlington” WERA-LP 96.7 FM. Podcast
Clay, A.K. (January 13, 2021). Curious About Curiosity? Professor Studies How Children Learn. UVA Today.
