Participate and share: Interactive session 
Spatial reasoning is the ability to visualize 3 dimensional objects from different perspectives. The skills developed when mastering spatial visualization apply to understanding, considering, dissecting and solving a wide range of problems. This session will focus on how to help students develop visualization skills and will start by learning a methodology called Engineering with Paper that uses a alphabet of shapes to teach engineering and spatial reasoning. After exploring 3 dimensional paper shapes we will move on to CAD and design programs. Particular attention will be paid to Tinkercad as the CAD program and Spatial Vis as a sketching app designed to teach spatial understanding. Both program are free for educators.
After a brief introduction about the value of learning spatial reasoning (which anyone who has tried to pack a box or a suitcase can understand) We will jump right in with hands on activities of making some simple 3 dimensional paper shapes. Once everyone has a collection of shape we will "build" with them - a boat, a city, an amusement park or other suggestions from the audience. These paper models will all be made with copy paper and tape and will fit easily on tables. We will spend 2/3 of the time on how to make, and how to teach, paper shapes and then view digital products that employ the same shapes, in different ways. I will demonstrate CAD software for the attendees and have a discussion about how the paper shapes prepare students for CAD design.
There are many articles and websites that document the value of learning and strengthening spatial reasoning or spatial visualization skills. It helps with everything from being able to pack a suitcase to understanding how to look at a problem from different perspectives. Here are links to two websites that explain the research on this topic.
https://www.engageengineering.org/spatial/whyitworks/learnmore/
https://egrove.education/results
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