2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Research has shown that spatial abilities, such as mental rotation, cutting, and folding of objects play a significant role in the success of students pursuing STEM degrees. CAD software (a standard part of STEM education) has been shown to improve the aforementioned spatial abilities. This research seeks to explore the development of spatial abilities through the assistance of an alternative method alongside the teaching of CAD software. This study used multiple sections of a cornerstone design course at primarily undergraduate institutions in the rural south. Pre-study surveys gathered students' spatial aptitude using the PSVT:R and their personal experience and engineering design self-efficacy through the EDSE. Throughout the semester, students were offered the option of further developing their spatial skills through a " SpatialVis app." This app seeks to offer a non-traditional method of training spatial ability by offering modules that cover various spatial ability skills, such as rotating objects. At the end of the course, the surveys were distributed again to determine development throughout the course, and students were required to take the CSWA as part of the course. This study seeks to examine the effect of non-traditional spatial ability development on CAD competency and determine the impact of other influencing factors.
Results indicate a correlation between using a non-traditional method in spatial ability development and CAD competency. Further, this tool impacted students' performance in the course. Lastly, specific demographics were shown to be influential in the students' spatial ability, thus affecting their CAD competency and performance in the class. This research shows that educators should consider additional resources to improve the abilities and skills of students in CAD-related tasks.