A Plea for Spatial Literacy.

The article discusses spatial thinking and spatial skills, the lack of which causes major problems for society. People in the U.S. have historically considered spatial thinking less important than the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, and not even as crucial as science, social studies, and other school curriculum. Spatial skills are more important in everyday life and at work. A critically important application of spatial thinking is in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, called the STEM disciplines. Spatial thinking provides unique insights in various STEM disciplines. It is important in debates about equality of opportunity for women and people from poor families.