Developing an Integrated Framework for Creativity-Enhanced STEM Out-of-School Activities: A Case Study of Lanna Lantern Making

This study addresses the lack of a coherent framework that integrates STEM instruction, creativity development, and culturally responsive pedagogy within out-of-school learning contexts. A three-phase Design and Development Research approach was adopted. Phase one involved documentary analysis and expert consultation to identify STEM elements embedded in traditional Lanna lantern making. Phase two focused on systematic framework construction by aligning a seven-stage STEM inquiry model with an A-to-E creativity framework. Phase three consisted of expert validation through a structured focus group involving five purposively selected specialists, applying a consensus-based evaluation with an 80% agreement threshold. The findings demonstrated substantial STEM integration across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics domains, particularly in light transmission, material properties and selection, structural design, and geometric measurement. The resulting framework was translated into a six-hour instructional module comprising 20 structured sub-activities for upper primary learners, with explicit alignment between STEM inquiry processes and creativity indicators. Expert evaluation confirmed the framework’s conceptual coherence, cultural relevance, and practical feasibility for implementation. This study provides a validated pedagogical framework that systematically integrates creativity and inquiry-based STEM learning within a culturally meaningful out-of-school setting. The framework offers educators a practical tool for designing contextualised STEM experiences that promote creative thinking alongside structured investigation. Future research should focus on empirical implementation with students to evaluate learning outcomes and creativity enhancement.