Curiosity and Flourishing | Seminar

This lesson presents a reflective, evidence-informed exploration of the VIA character strength Curiosity, with a focus on staying open when answers are incomplete. Designed as a strengths-based learning resource, the lesson invites participants to notice questions before conclusions, explore ideas without certainty, and learn through inquiry rather than premature closure. The lesson integrates conceptual explanation, reflective prompts, applied exercises, and structured planning tools to support learners in translating curiosity from theory into lived experience. Activities include self-reflection, discussion prompts, multiple-choice questions (MCQs), behavioural planning using WOOP, and a structured 60-minute session outline. The resource is designed for use in higher education and developmental contexts and is adaptable across learning environments and delivery formats, supporting transferability beyond a single context. Learning Outcomes By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to: • Clearly define the VIA character strength of Curiosity and describe its role in human flourishing • Identify benefits of curiosity for learning, engagement, adaptability, problem-solving, and personal growth • Recognise patterns of underuse, optimal use, and overuse of curiosity in everyday academic life • Apply reflective practices to stay open when answers are incomplete and to deepen understanding through inquiry • Develop a simple action plan for expressing curiosity using WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) Keywords Curiosity, Human Flourishing, Positive Psychology, VIA Character Strengths, Strengths-Based Learning, Inquiry, Wellbeing, Higher Education, Reflective Practice, WOOP Notes This lesson can be delivered as a facilitated seminar or used as a standalone reflective learning resource. It includes definition and benefits of curiosity, affirmations, a poem, MCQs, guidance on underuse/optimal use/overuse, practical expression strategies, a 60-minute session plan, a daily timetable, and WOOP-based planning.