2D and 3D Fabrication Devices: Can They Improve Spatial Reasoning Skills in Children?
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential benefit of two hours of activities involving 2D and 3D fabricators on the spatial reasoning skills of children in Grades 4 and 5, ages 9 to 10, from a private school in Southeast Texas. Can the introduction to hands-on activities with products created with these devices and learning about how these devices operate improve spatial reasoning skills? The research also evaluates the use of the Shapes Test as a valid measure of the spatial reasoning skills of children. The Cube Design and Spatial Memory subtests of the UNIT (Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Tests) were used for evaluating the spatial reasoning skills of the participants, based on their respected validity, along with a Shapes Test that is in development. Discussion regarding gender, language, and experiential theories of spatial reasoning skill development are included in the literature review.
A computer simulation program has been developed for the rotational molding of plastics. The predictions obtained from this program in terms of heating/cooling rates and overall cycle times have been compared with experimental molding trials with a range of plastics. It is shown that the computer model predicts accurately the real situation for a wide range of processing conditions. In particular, the program allows the effects of oven efficiency, mold material, mold wall thickness, and molded part thickness to be assessed quantitiatively. The article presents information on heat transfer coefficients that are applicable during rotational molding and typical cycle times for a wide range of process conditions. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.