Spatial Reasoning Development: Improving (STE)M Outcomes in Primary School and Higher Education

Quintin Cutts and Jack Parkinson (UoG)

Thursday 26th February 15:00-16:00
Maths 311B

Abstract

Spatial reasoning skills have been associated with STEM success for decades. Spatial skills are also fairly easy to develop with the right kinds of activities, but these activities aren't often found in typical curricula. We have been exploring the relationship between spatial skills and computing science, including developing spatial skills for gains in computing outcomes. Over the past three years, we have taken these learnings and applied them in primary school maths classes in the STEM SPACE Project. The STEM SPACE Project uses a set of meths lessons - called MathsBURST - which cover typical maths topics from P4-P7 but have deliberate spatial development activities built-in as part of the maths learning. We have reached over 300 primary schools in the past three years and seen substantial improvements in maths, spatial skills and computational thinking for pupils involved. In this talk, we will walk through our journey from exploring this relationship in computing science and how this has led to the current project in primary schools.

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