The ENGAGE project worked with the authors of the Introduction to 3D Spatial Visualization: An Active Approach textbook and workbook to provide educators with customizable PowerPoint presentations to introduce nine spatial reasoning curriculum modules. At Michigan Tech 80% of female engineering students who took a spatial skills course using a curriculum developed by Sheryl Sorby -- one of the authors of the textbook and PowerPoint presentations –- were retained, compared to 50% of the women who didn't take the course.

Download the customizable PowerPoint presentations introducing nine spatial reasoning curriculum modules on the ENGAGE website.

Source:

Sorby, S., Hamlin, A., & Veurink, N. (2012, August 14). Spatial Visualization Skills Teaching Resources: Companion Lecture Notes. Retrieved from ENGAGE Engaging Students in Engineering: http://www.engageengineering.org/?page=107


This literature review on spatial reasoning skills with a focus on female engineering students covers gender differences in spatial reasoning ability, methods for assessing student ability, interventions that have proven effective for female engineering students, and research-based recommendations for college-level engineering programs. The paper discusses successful interventions such as a three-hour workshop for low-scoring students in an introductory engineering course that effectively eliminated gender differences in spatial reasoning scores.

Download the PDF from the ENGAGE website.

Source:

Metz, S. S., Donohue, S., & Moore, C. (2012). Spatial Skills: A Focus on Gender and Engineering. In B. Bogue & E. Cady (Eds.). Apply Research to Practice (ARP) Resources. Retrieved from http://www.engageengineering.org/associations/11559/files/ARP_SpatialSkills.pdf

How much of a difference can spatial reasoning assessment and training make for female STEM students? At Michigan Tech 80% of female engineering students that received the training were retained compared to 50% of women with weak spatial skills who did not receive any training. This three-page research brief highlights the key research supporting the use of spatial reasoning training as an intervention for increasing the retention of female STEM students.

Download the research brief on the ENGAGE website.

Source:

ENGAGE Strategy Research Brief Spatial Visualization Skills. (2012, August 14). Retrieved from ENGAGE Engaging Students in Engineering: http://www.engageengineering.org/?page=106