Young children's use of spatial sensemaking practices as mediators of spatial skills during informal STEM programs

Julia D. Plummer, Katie Nolan, Kyungjin Cho, Madison Botch

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

While considerable research has examined when young children develop spatial skills and how these predict their success in STEM engagement, this study adds to the limited research on the processes through which young children learn to reason spatially during everyday learning environments. Through investigations of science and engineering programs for 3-5-year-old children, we provide evidence for how these programs engage children in a diverse range of spatial sensemaking practices, such as gestures, sketching, and object manipulation, which in turn engage their use of multiple forms of spatial skills. Our findings suggest children used spatial sensemaking to solve engineering problems and make sense of science phenomena, setting the stage for future STEM learning.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationInternational Collaboration toward Educational Innovation for All
Subtitle of host publicationOverarching Research, Development, and Practices - 16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2022
EditorsClark Chinn, Edna Tan, Carol Chan, Yael Kali
PublisherInternational Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS)
Pages1121-1124
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781737330653
StatePublished - 2022
Event16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2022 - Virtual, Online, Japan
Duration: Jun 6 2022Jun 10 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS
ISSN (Print)1814-9316

Conference

Conference16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2022
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityVirtual, Online
Period6/6/226/10/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)
  • Education

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