The role of visuospatial thinking in students’ predictions of molecular geometry

Visuospatial thinking is considered crucial for understanding of three-dimensional spatial concepts in STEM disciplines. Despite their importance, little known about the underlying cognitive processing required to spatially reason and varied strategies students may employ solve visuospatial problems. This study seeks identify describe how when use imagistic or analytical reasoning making pen-on-paper predictions molecular geometry if particular are linked greater accuracy responses. Student was evidenced through responses generated by high attaining, school (N = 10) studying Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory final year chemistry. Through analysis coding students’ open-ended paper-based an introductory task, results revealed that employed multiple strategies, including heuristics spontaneous construction external diagrammatic representations predict geometry. Importantly, it observed despite being instructed on VSEPR theory find solutions, some exhibited preference alternative drawing prior knowledge reasoning; showing with 3D than who used algorithmic method instruction. has implications both research practice as specific not readily promoted a pedagogical approach nor they given credit national examinations at level.