Middle School Children's Spatial Reasoning Explorations Through Design Pedagogies

• In Event: AERA Research-in-Progress Roundtable Session 1
  In Invited Roundtable: Mathematics Education: Neuroplasticity, Critical Thinking, Engagement, and Culturally Responsive Teaching (Table 10)

Abstract

Design-based learning facilitates inter-disciplinary learning in STEM areas with opportunities to exercise design thinking, problem posing, spatial reasoning, and creativity. The speaker presents preliminary findings of a study conducted in an after-school STEM program that uses 3D modeling as the central phenomenon. A multiple case study approach within design methodology has been used to explore the phenomenon with five middle school students selected through purposive sampling. The data sources include 3D printing design tasks, in-class observations, semi-structured student interviews, spatial reasoning worksheets, design journals, and audio-visual screen recordings. The implications of this study will be useful for planning curricular support and professional development for in-service teachers interested in integrated STEM education.

Author

• Sandra Richy John, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale