Some Aspects of the Role of Spatial Intelligence in STEM Learning

Spatial intelligence is the ability of an individual to orient and manipulate mental objects in 3-dimensional space.  This ability can be very important in a variety of fields, including architecture, medicine, and science.  One very important factor about spatial intelligence is that it can be improved by practice with 3-D problems.  I will provide some brief comments reviewing what is known about the role of spatial intelligence in STEM learning and why we should pay more attention to it.  I will also present some recent research indicating that spatial intelligence is a limiting factor in some students’ performance.