The effect of pre-engineering activities on 4th and 5th grade students’ understanding of rectangular solids made of small cubes
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2008
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Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of pre-engineering activities on 4thand 5th-grade students understanding of rectangular solids made of small cubes. The study utilized a
pretest-posttest experimental design with 121 students. During a two class-hour instruction,
experimental groups constructed simple toys such as cars, ships, and trucks out of wooden cubes and
triangular prisms. Control groups continued on their regular in-class activities. Results showed that
experimental groups, with no gender differences, statistically significantly improved their understanding
of three-dimensionality and spatial structuring of three-dimensional arrays of cubes. Similar activities
can be used in classrooms to help students mentally construct three-dimensionality and improve their
understanding of the spatial structure of rectangular buildings made of small cubes.
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three-dimensionality, rectangular buildings, spatial structuring, volume