Collaborative Research: Spatial Visualization Skills and Engineering Problem Solving

工程师是众所周知的问题解决者，未来的工程师将负责解决传统问题和我们社会面临的模糊的跨学科问题。工程师将需要能够全面考虑各种因素，并可视化解决方案，在满足文化、环境、社会和经济限制的同时解决技术问题。空间可视化技能与工程和数学方面的成功以及创造力和技术创新联系在一起。不幸的是，在之前研究发现的所有认知过程中，空间技能表现出最明显的性别差异，有利于男性。提高空间技能已被证明是提高工科学生，尤其是女性学生成功的有效方法。该项目正在进行一项有工科本科生参与的大规模研究，以回答有关空间可视化在解决两类工程问题中所起作用的研究问题。收敛问题通常是那些具有基于先前理论的唯一解决方案的问题。不同的问题有多种可能的解决方案。由于工程师被要求解决这两类问题，因此了解空间可视化技能如何影响学生尝试解决这些问题以及最终获得的解决方案是很重要的。该项目采用了一种混合方法，其中包括脑电(EEG)作为一种大脑成像技术，以回答有关空间可视化和工程问题解决之间的联系的问题。这项研究的结果将填补目前已知的大脑功能、空间可视化和工程问题解决方面的空白。这一结果可以用来提高本科工程学位课程学生的成就率，并确保女性充分参与工程工作。ECR计划强调基础STEM教育研究，以产生该领域的基础知识。在基本、广泛和持久的关键领域进行投资：STEM学习和STEM学习环境，扩大STEM的参与，以及STEM劳动力发展

Engineers are known problem-solvers and the engineer of the future will be tasked with solving traditional problems as well as the ill-defined interdisciplinary problems faced by our society. Engineers will need to be able to think holistically about a myriad of factors and visualize a solution that solves the technical problem while satisfying cultural, environmental, societal, and economic constraints. Spatial visualization skills have been linked to success in engineering and mathematics as well as to creativity and technical innovation. Unfortunately, of all of the cognitive processes identified through previous research, spatial skills exhibit the most robust gender differences, favoring males. Improving spatial skills has been shown to be effective in improving the success of engineering students, particularly women.This project is conducting a large-scale study involving undergraduate engineering students in order to answer research questions regarding the role that spatial visualization plays in solving two types of engineering problems. Convergent problems are typically those that have a unique solution that is based on prior theories. Divergent problems have multiple possible solutions. Since engineers are asked to solve both types of problems, it is important to know how spatial visualization skills impact how students attempt to solve these problems and the solutions that are ultimately obtained. The project is employing a mixed methods approach that includes electroencephalograms (EEGs) as a brain imaging technique to answer questions about the links between spatial visualization and engineering problem solving. The results from this research will close a gap in what is currently known about brain function, spatial visualization and engineering problem solving. The results could be used to improve the success of students in undergraduate engineering degree programs and to ensure the full participation of women in the engineering workforce. The ECR program emphasizes fundamental STEM education research that generates foundational knowledge in the field. Investments are made in critical areas that are essential, broad and enduring: STEM learning and STEM learning environments, broadening participation in STEM, and STEM workforce development