1. Promoting Students’ Success in STEM Viz Stars: An opportunity to improve Spatial Visualization Skills! Seven sessions, Fridays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, March 4 - April 22, Roy F. Mitte (RFM) Building Free Lunch & Talk: RFM 4231, 12:30 - 1:00 pm. Training: RFM 4236, 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Target population: 1st and 2nd Year Students in Computer Science, Chemistry/Bio-chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Engineering Technology and Physics Viz Stars faculty: Dr. Clara Novoa, Ingram School of Engineering Dr. Araceli Ortiz, College of Education Dr. Eleanor Close, Department of Physics B.J. Spencer, Department of Engineering Technology Dr. Austin Talley, Ingram School of Engineering http://lbj-stem.education.txstate.edu/

2. Spatial Visualization Skills (SVS) Good SVS allow you to predict how objects appear from different perspectives and orientations. This ability relates to good problem solving and to refined design skills SVS develop as you grow up Those with more developed SVS tend to get better grades, on average, in engineering, math, and science courses. The good news is that, as with most other skills, SVS can be improved with training and practice! 2

3. Your Next Steps! 1.Find a quiet place with computer access and an uninterrupted 20 minute time slot 2.Go to the VIZ STARS TRACS site and take the open assessment. It is a 30 multiple-choice test available from February 15 to February 26 You can take the test only one time; once you start the test make sure you finish it within 20 minutes! 3.If VIZ STARS is not in your TRACS sites, e-mail your name, e-mail, major and classification to Dr. Clara Novoa, cn17@txstate.edu, to gain accesscn17@txstate.edu 4. If your score is 21 or less and you are available at the training times (see slide 1), sign-up for Viz Stars in the VIZ STARS TRACS site! 3 Please note that results of the Spatial Visualization Test will in no way affect your Texas State grades.

4. What is Viz Stars? SVS training ran by faculty with wide expertise in the subject Free Lunch Talks about STEM careers and practical applications of SVS Individual and group practice using computers, visualization software, snap cubes, white board and workbook Fun social community building Networking with faculty in the College Opportunity to improve your confidence and identity as a STEM student 4

5. 5 Viz Stars is sponsored by NSF & the Halliburton Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No DUE-IUSE 1431578. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.