Samsung-SERC Spatial Reasoning Research Program (2016–2017)
Samsung Electronics Australia, Corporate Social Responsibility.
Since its start UC SERC’s research has focused on studying the extent to which spatial skills have a sustained impact on the overall STEM competence, in particular in mathematics literacy.
The two projects comprised in the Samsung-SERC Spatial Reasoning Research Program are drawing from UC SERC’s core research by developing primary and secondary schools students’ spatial-reasoning skills through the implementation of innovative teaching programs and next generation technologies.
Primary School project
This project aims to complement and substantially ‘scale up’ SERC work that has demonstrated that primary-aged student’s spatial reasoning can be improved with well-designed learning activities. The partnership with Samsung is moving the spatial reasoning program to a digital form in order to be accessed by remote and disadvantaged communities more easily.
Secondary School project
Digital technologies are transforming the way young people learn, work and play. As educators we want to empower young people with the best tools, skills and mindsets to enable them to thrive in a STEM-rich 21st century. The Digital Design Learning Lab will complement classroom education with science and numeracy activities and programs that design, develop and apply a challenge based approach to learning in the digital environments.
Objectives
The Samsung-SERC Spatial Reasoning Research Program comprises two projects: the Primary School Project and Secondary School Project.
The main objective of these projects is to increase the STEM literacy of young Australians, in particular of those from low SES backgrounds, by using technology and innovative practices.
Method
The Primary School Project will implement a spatial-reasoning training program to study the effects of this program on Grade 5 and 6 students’ spatial-reasoning ability and their mathematics and science competences.
The Secondary School Project will establish a digital design learning lab where innovative practices such as, next generation digital signage and visual display, sensor based platforms and augmented reality technologies will be used to enhance STEM skills of secondary schools’ students.
The collected results from both projects will contribute to the research body in this field by providing evidence that promotes awareness on the importance of implementing spatial-reasoning programs in primary and secondary schools’ curriculum with the aim of enhancing students’ mathematical and scientific literacy, in particular among those from educationally-disadvantaged backgrounds.