Creative thinking is important to scientists and engineers as they frame their work and engage in the practices of their fields. Elementary-age children need opportunities to think about and develop an idea from its inception through to its conclusion to expand their thinking and engage in scientific processes. Generating and expanding on ideas allows children to consider problems or questions they want to solve through experimentation, and it requires perseverance and practice. This column includes activities focusing on allowing students to expand their thinking around simple objects and ideas while maintaining a science focus. In the grades K-2 lesson, students engage in a creative-thinking strategy called SCAMPER as they consider how to use items in different ways. In the grades 3-5 lesson, students brainstorm different ideas when presented with a problem.