Practicing Spatial Relationship Skills Using an Asteroid 3-D Tool

Authors

Julie Ziffer PhD, University of Southern MaineFollow
William Morse, University of Southern Maine
Tyler Nelson, University of Southern Maine
Paul A. Nakroshis PhD, University of Southern MaineFollow
Benjamin T. Rudnick, Falmouth High school
Max Brautigam, Falmouth High School
Wesley Parker, Cape Elizabeth High School

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Publication Title

The Physics Teacher

Abstract

Students with poor spatial abilities experience a barrier to academic success early in the STEM curriculum. However, Sorby et al. report that even brief training can improve spatial reasoning in students who lack them. Further, the National Research Council recommends that spatial thinking skills be taught at all educational levels. Halpern defines spatial ability as a heterogeneous cluster of cognitive skills. “Mental rotation” and “orthographic projection” are two of these skills. Mental rotation is the capacity to mentally rotate a two- or three-dimensional object. The orthographic projection skill is the ability to represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions. These skills are important across the STEM curriculum, and in physics and astronomy these skills have particular relevance.

Comments

© 2019 American Association of Physics Teachers.

Recommended Citation

Ziffer, J., Morse, W., Nelson, T., Nakroshis, P., et al (2019). Practicing Spatial Relationship Skills Using an Asteroid 3-D Tool. The Physics Teacher, 57(1), 14-16. doi:10.1119/1.5084919