FOSTERING LOGICAL REASONING IN YOUTH: A FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATIVE GROWTH

Abstract

By focusing on youth aged 15–24 in Uzbekistan, the research highlights the importance of logical reasoning as a foundational cognitive skill for engaging in innovative activities such as problem-solving competitions, entrepreneurship, and technological development. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study collects both quantitative data through logical reasoning tests and surveys on innovation engagement, and qualitative data from interviews with youth participants. The findings indicate a strong positive correlation between logical reasoning and active participation in innovative activities. Specifically, youth who excelled in logical reasoning tasks were more likely to engage in creative endeavors that required problem-solving and innovative thinking. The study also emphasizes the significant role of educational environments, noting that schools and programs that promote critical thinking, STEM education, and digital literacy are more likely to cultivate the cognitive skills necessary for innovation.The research also sheds light on socio-demographic influences on innovation engagement. Urban youth had greater access to resources such as STEM programs, digital tools, and innovation labs, which provided them with more opportunities to apply their logical thinking skills. Gender differences in the types of innovation projects—where males often engaged in competitive, technical projects and females in collaborative, community-based ones—are also explored. These findings highlight the need for inclusive educational practices that cater to diverse learning styles and support equitable access to innovation resources.