Spatial Visualization Skills: Why They Are Critical for Engineering Success and How to Strengthen Yours
March 23, 2006, 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Dial in phone number: 1-877-228-3600; participant passcode:  226054

Engineers communicate through drawings. Engineering drawing is one of the foundation courses for virtually every engineering program. In addition, many engineering tasks require you to visualize 3D objects and rotate them in your mind’s eye. About 40 percent of female and 10 percent of male engineering students enter engineering programs with weak skills in this critical area. Unfortunately, students with weak spatial visualization skills have a significantly higher drop out rate in engineering programs. Join us for an important session to learn about this critical aptitude, how it applies to engineering, and what you can do to strengthen your spatial visualization skills—even while you’re still in high school or taking collegiate engineering courses.

Moderator:  Janet Scheren, JETS

Speakers:

• Sheryl Sorby, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Engineering,  Michigan Technological University
• Lynn S. Liben, Ph.D., Distinguisehd Professor of Psychology, The Pennsylvania University
• Steve Green, Director, New York Office, Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS (PowerPoint files)

• Gender Differences in Spatial Reasoning: (slide presentation)
• Water Level Task (diagram)
• Using Multi Media Software to Improve 3-D Spatial Skills of Engineering Students (slide presentation)