The paper describes the results of a study whose main aim was to find the interrelationship between pupils' school grades in Czech language (native), mathematics, and physics and pupils' cognitive predispositions to problem-solving in science and mathematics diagnosed by the Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning and the Culture of Problem…

The definition of creativity among professional mathematicians and the definition of mathematical creativity in the classroom context are significantly different. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between students' mathematical creativity (i.e., cognitive flexibility) and figure apprehension when solving geometric…

Background: Problem-solving in early and middle childhood is of high relevance for cognitive developmental research and educational support. Previous research on science problem-solving has focussed on the process and strategies of children handling challenging tasks, but less on providing insights into the cognitive network that enables science…

Open math problem solving is critical to help students deepen the understanding and promote transfer of mathematics knowledge. However, the cognitive mechanism for open math problem solving, particularly the role of spatial abilities, has not been paid enough attention. This study recruited 192 junior middle school students (14.30 ± 0.48 years…

A core aim of contemporary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is the development of robust problem-solving skills. This can be achieved by fostering both discipline knowledge expertise and general cognitive abilities associated with problem solving. One of the most important cognitive abilities in STEM education is…

The main aim of this study was to (a) test the construct validity of complex problem solving (CPS); (b) examine the ability to acquire knowledge as a mediator of the relationship between intelligence and CPS performance; and (c) investigate the personal need for structure as a moderator of the relationship between intelligence and knowledge…

Mathematics is an essential subject in schools, helping develop cognitive skills such as critical analysis, logical reasoning, and problem-solving. However, academic achievement in mathematics often declines, with some students having difficulty understanding mathematical ideas. Many factors influence mathematics achievement, including students'…

This study investigates the relationship between mathematical literacy and cognitive flexibility in solving complex problems among Indonesian elementary school students aged 9-10 n = 78. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined quantitative testing and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of this…

Background: Key to optimizing Computational Thinking (CT) instruction is a precise understanding of the underlying cognitive skills. Román-González et al. (2017) reported unique contributions of spatial abilities and reasoning, whereas arithmetic was not significantly related to CT. Disentangling the influence of spatial and numerical skills on CT…

This study aims to examine the relation between spatial ability and creativity in Geometry. Data was collected from 94 ninth graders. Three spatial abilities were investigated: spatial visualization, spatial relations and closure flexibility. As for students' creativity, it was examined through a multiple solution problem in Geometry focusing on…

The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship between pre-service teachers' spatial visualisation skills and their mathematical creativity through problem-posing tasks. A group of 62 pre-service teachers completed the Purdue Spatial Visualisation test and took the mathematical creativity test through problem-posing tasks. Pearson's…

Studies measuring teachers' beliefs quantitatively by using self-report Likert scale instruments often face methodological difficulties. Such difficulties might be due to the fact that those instruments often provide less or no contexts. Whereas, several studies have shown that contexts at school, particularly contexts related to students'…

There is a consensus that certain cognitive abilities and mathematics performance are related. This link also extends to geometry. Surprisingly, however, little research has examined specific aspects of cognition that may contribute to successful performance in geometry, particularly at the secondary level. In this study, we explored in what ways,…

Background: Spatial ability is significantly related to performance in engineering education, and problem-solving, an activity that is highly relevant to engineering education, has been linked to spatial ability. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study investigated the following question--To what extent is spatial ability related to problem-solving among…

The Vygotsky Blocks Test assesses problem-solving styles within a theoretical framework for the development of higher mental processes devised by Vygotsky. Because both the theory and the associated test situate cognitive development within the child's social and linguistic context, they address conceptual issues around the developmental relation…