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Analyzing the relationship between spatial skills and engineering mechanics problem solving in undergraduate engineering education.

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Title: Analyzing the relationship between spatial skills and engineering mechanics problem solving in undergraduate engineering education.
Authors: Panther, Grace1 (AUTHOR), Duffy, Gavin2 (AUTHOR), Sorby, Sheryl3 (AUTHOR) sheryl.sorby@uc.edu, Soni, Divyang4 (AUTHOR)
Source: Australasian Journal of Engineering Education. May2026, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p62-77. 16p.
Subjects: Spatial ability, Problem solving, Engineering education, Applied mechanics, Undergraduate education, Mental representation, Academic achievement
Abstract: Spatial skills are correlated with successful degree completion in engineering. One early required subject is Engineering Mechanics. Traditionally, this is a 'gate keeping' course with higher-than-average failure rates. It is hypothesised that underdeveloped 3-D spatial skills are one reason for failure in this course. In this study, 128 students were recruited from two large research-intensive universities in the U.S. Participants were asked to provide GPA scores, complete three spatial tests and a verbal analogy task and to solve six problems from engineering mechanics. The average of the three spatial ability z-scores was calculated to create a composite spatial ability score for each participant. Solutions to each of the six mechanics problems were then analysed using the Mayer framework for problem-solving by closely examining the representation and solution phases. Results from this mixed-methods study illustrate the variation of approaches in representing and solving problems and how relates to differences in spatial skill. Statistically significant correlations were found between problem-solving accuracy and spatial scores but not between problem-solving and verbal ability. These correlations are explained by the spatial ability's unique role in forming correct mental representations of key aspects of each problem. These findings inform future research about spatial skills and problem-solving in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Australasian Journal of Engineering Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
FullText Text:
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Analyzing the relationship between spatial skills and engineering mechanics problem solving in undergraduate engineering education.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Australasian+Journal+of+Engineering+Education%22">Australasian Journal of Engineering Education</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p62-77. 16p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Spatial+ability%22">Spatial ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+solving%22">Problem solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Engineering+education%22">Engineering education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Applied+mechanics%22">Applied mechanics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+education%22">Undergraduate education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+representation%22">Mental representation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+achievement%22">Academic achievement</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Spatial skills are correlated with successful degree completion in engineering. One early required subject is Engineering Mechanics. Traditionally, this is a 'gate keeping' course with higher-than-average failure rates. It is hypothesised that underdeveloped 3-D spatial skills are one reason for failure in this course. In this study, 128 students were recruited from two large research-intensive universities in the U.S. Participants were asked to provide GPA scores, complete three spatial tests and a verbal analogy task and to solve six problems from engineering mechanics. The average of the three spatial ability z-scores was calculated to create a composite spatial ability score for each participant. Solutions to each of the six mechanics problems were then analysed using the Mayer framework for problem-solving by closely examining the representation and solution phases. Results from this mixed-methods study illustrate the variation of approaches in representing and solving problems and how relates to differences in spatial skill. Statistically significant correlations were found between problem-solving accuracy and spatial scores but not between problem-solving and verbal ability. These correlations are explained by the spatial ability's unique role in forming correct mental representations of key aspects of each problem. These findings inform future research about spatial skills and problem-solving in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Australasian Journal of Engineering Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=194898057
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1080/22054952.2026.2626163
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 16
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      – SubjectFull: Spatial ability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem solving
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      – SubjectFull: Engineering education
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      – SubjectFull: Applied mechanics
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate education
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      – SubjectFull: Mental representation
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      – SubjectFull: Academic achievement
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              M: 05
              Text: May2026
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              Y: 2026
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