SPATIAL REASONING WITH A HUMAN-SCALED GEOMETRIC PUZZLE

As our world interactions become more digital, youth have fewer opportunities to engage in physical activities that provide contexts for mathematics.Most school math is done on paper or computer screen-2D environments with little opportunity for embodied learning.This paper describes how activities with human-scale geometric objects offer youth opportunities to strengthen, challenge, and contextualize what they have learned in school.Using a human-sized 3D puzzle made of cardboard boxes, youth engaged in embodied learning experiences that involved spatial perception, mental rotation, spatial visualization, and joy.The activity, conducted in an afterschool program, fostered collaboration and deeper engagement through physical manipulation of the puzzle pieces.This case study shows the promise of large-scale objects for supporting the development of spatial reasoning skills in ways that engage youth.Because spatial thinking is associated with success in STEM disciplines, including mathematics, these activities are particularly important for students who are historically marginalized.