The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of block play on the creativity of children. The present study adopted a quasi-experimental research design, with pre- and post-test control groups. The study group consisted of a total of 52 children, enrolled at preschool education institutions in Ankara province in Turkey. The children…

Sanger sequencing, also known as dideoxy sequencing, is a widely used method for DNA sequencing, particularly for cloned plasmids and clinical samples. This technique requires a combination of essential biochemistry skills, such as a chain-termination reaction, gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence detection. Unfortunately, there is a lack of…

Learning spatial layouts and navigating through them rely not simply on sight but rather on multisensory processes, including touch. Digital haptics based on ultrasounds are effective for creating and manipulating mental images of individual objects in sighted and visually impaired participants. Here, we tested if this extends to scenes and…

In a previous article, "The Shape of Reasoning: Using Geometry to Promote the Reasoning Proficiency Strand" (EJ1286217), the author put forward the argument that no medium is more powerful than geometry as a vehicle for developing the mathematical proficiency strand of Reasoning. Because geometry is so visual and tactile, the…

This paper introduces tools for converting circular-featured-waste into polygonal construction parts and then 3D polyhedra. The tools, including diagrams, 3D printable joiners and mathematical formulae are designed for mathematics-related play, re-use, learning, design and improvisation. Activities for students include making assemblies, gathering…

This study aims to examine the impact of mathematics teaching supported by virtual manipulatives in an online learning environment on the academic achievement of primary school 4th grade students. In the study using a mixed method, experimental (n=24) and control (n=24) groups were established. While the experimental group was taught online with…

Integer arithmetic is difficult for students worldwide. Although students' integer thinking has frequently been studied, little is known about typical instructional practice for this difficult topic. Thus, to investigate what resources teachers use, we surveyed U.S. middle-grade teachers who teach negative numbers. About half the teachers said…

This article presents a case study of two Grade 5 boys' argumentation concerning addition and subtraction of negative numbers while using an interactive tablet-based application simulating positive and negative tiles. We examine the properties of integers they conjectured, and the kinds of evidence and arguments they used to support their…

Fidget devices are often used in classrooms to help students move their bodies while attending to academic or behavioral directives. Devices range from small handheld tools such as spinners and tangle puzzles to larger full-body devices such as exercise balls. The current study provides a meta-analysis of the effects of fidget devices as academic…

There is mixed evidence as to whether concrete manipulatives (e.g., toy animals) are better than abstract manipulatives (e.g., counters) for teaching mathematical concepts to children. Concreteness is defined as the amount of extraneous information a manipulative provides, and in this study we aimed to unpick which dimensions of concreteness…

Studies show that spatial interventions lead to improvements in mathematics. However, outcomes vary based on whether physical manipulatives (embodied action) are used during training. This study compares the effects of embodied and non-embodied spatial interventions on spatial and mathematics outcomes. The study has a randomized, controlled,…

In two studies, we investigated whether using three-dimensional (3D) manipulatives during assessment aided performance on a variety of preschool mathematics tasks compared to pictorial representations. On measures of children's understanding of counting and cardinality (n = 103), there was no difference in performance between manipulatives and…

For decades, chemical modeling sets have allowed the user to manipulate atoms and bonds using plastic/wooden ball and stick materials. Here is a design for an interlocking toy brick modeling set in which the undergraduate nursing student can manipulate electrons during the simulated chemical bonding exercise. The author presents a teaching and…

This article investigates the incorporation of loose parts as a means to enhance student creativity within educational environments. Loose parts refer to flexible, movable objects that can be manipulated, combined, and repurposed in various ways. The study delves into the theoretical underpinnings that support the connection between loose parts…

Finding ways for students to use manipulatives in a safe, yet collaborative, manner is a challenge the 2020-2021 school year introduced. Teachers scrambled to create a set of manipulatives for individual use on a budget so students could learn from home, in hybrid environments, or in socially distanced classrooms. This article presents a…