The term "formative purposes" refers to the purpose of shaping or molding something into a particular form, shape or character. In education, it is often used in reference to activities and experiences that are designed to help students develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding in a specific subject area or skill set. These types of learning experiences may include classroom instruction, hands-on projects, field trips, and other interactive activities that provide opportunities for students to engage with the material in meaningful ways. The ultimate goal of formative purposes is to improve student learning outcomes by providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills upon which they can build as they progress through their education.