Teaching Spatial Skills
Teach students spatial skills such as how to visualize and manipulate forms and shapes.
Spatial skills help us visualize three-dimensional objects — skills that are especially important in math, science, and numerous professions. Spatial skills help us imagine, draw, and make appropriate changes to representation and organization of objects. These skills are essential to solving a wide range of problems in math, science, and engineering. Research has found that boys regularly outperform girls on tests involving spatial skills. Helping girls improve their spatial skills will lead to better math and science achievement both in regular and advanced courses at school and in college.
Multimedia Overview
Teaching Spatial Skills to Girls
This overview describes some of the gender differences in test performance; ways in which spatial skills are used in school, careers, and normal life; and approaches to teaching spatial skills. (4:59 min)