Thank you for visiting the Spatial STEM+C video! We hope that you enjoy the video and get some insights about how spatial thinking and computational thinking might be connected with one another As we move into the final half of the second year of our project, we are particularly interested in feedback regarding the following issues:

• How can computational thinking be reliably assessed in the elementary grades, particularly as it pertains to spatial abilities?
• How can spatial thinking training be integrated into the core curriculum in elementary schools?
• What is the impact of spatial thinking on computational thinking abilities?
• How does spatial thinking training impact educational justice outcomes for elementary school children?

We welcome your questions and comments and look forward to an interesting and productive showcase!

Hi Steven, 

Thank you for sharing your video. I am interested to hear about the kinds of spatial thinking interventions you implemented in the classroom. Did they involve computational thinking activities that required spatial reasoning? 

Thank you! 

Kinnari - I think the spatial thinking activities that had the most direct impact on computational thinking were the mapping and treasure hunt activities. One mapping activity that 3rd-5th graders implemented was using google maps to create directions from home to school that one student would give to another. Similarly, we created a treasure hunt in which students used a campus map we created with a drone that had treasure locations on it. After they physically found treasures they went back to the classroom and wrote directions to find three treasures and then gave their directions to another student to see how accurate the directions were. These kinds of activities developed computational problem solving process such as: identifying a problem (abstraction and decomposition); gathering and representing data; generating a plan/solution; implementing solutions; assessing solutions/debugging. 

Hope this helps,

Gary

I am curious as to whether you are using the same instruments for elementary school as you referred to as being successful in middle school studies.

Hi there,what a fascinating project. (And, I love the James Bond theme for the first 1/2 of the video -- very snappy!).

With regard to your own feedback desired, is spatial thinking the same as spatial visualization (SV)? If so, Jacob Segil at the University of Colorado Boulder has done some fascinating research on how college-aged students ' SV skills can increase over time and with practice. He has also co-authored an SV curricular unit that is housed on teachengineering.org for younger students to practice the skill. (And this isn't a plug, per say, as the curriculum is available free of charge for any educator to use -- this is just another resource to mention that leads I think to the social justice angle).

Jennie - yes we used some of the middle school tasks in 3rd-5th. We made modifications but the concepts were the same. For K-2 the concepts were similar but there was far less written components, more emphasis on visual and diagramatic representations.

gary

Have you developed your own assessments or are you using existing assessments? I'm particularly interested in how you test the impact of spatial thinking activities on computational thinking. Very interesting!

I also have to say I am somewhat taken aback by the photo that you use for the example of "...students with less developed spatial thinking abilities. . . " 

I, too, am curious to see the results. Also, will there be any assessment as to which component of computational thinking is being addressed? perseverance, etc. 

Well, I speak a little English! This idea looks great. In recent years, technology is very important, but this type of activities and different instruments develop thinking and mathematical skills. This type of instruments has been displaced by digital devices and I think they should be used more frequently or in conjunction with the computer.

For teachers interested in developing a students Spatial Thinking take a look at this completely free class material: www.GearupU.com

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10040...

Hi Steven and team,

First, super cute video. I love the first minute!

Second, it's interesting to me how you're placing CT still as the intermediary between spatial thinking and mathematics. Can you explain a bit more about the connections, and why you chose the five particular aspects of CT (highlighted at about 2:18 in your video)?

Very cool project! I'm so glad to see this focus on spatial thinking skills. 
I'm interested in knowing more about the assessments you are using for measuring CT? Looking forward to seeing the results :)

I loved the used of outdoor activities in the beginning of the video. I also appreciated the explanation regarding the impact of spatial thinking skills in the STEM field. I would love a bit more explanation of "age-appropriate assessments of spatial, computational and mathematical abilities." I am interested in the tool that you used.