Researchers in the field of engineering education have studied the skill of spatial visualization. These studies have shown the large discrepancies among undergraduate engineering students while finding large correlations between high spatial visualization skills and success in engineering professions. Here are several references to support this work:
- J. L. Segil, J. F. Sullivan, J. Y. Tsai, D. T. Reamon, and M. H. Forbes, “Investigation of spatial visualization skills across world regions,” in 2017 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2017, pp. 1–5.
- J. L. Segil, J. F. Sullivan, B. A. Myers, D. T. Reamon, and M. H. Forbes, “Analysis of multi-modal spatial visualization workshop intervention across gender, nationality, and other engineering student demographics,” in 2016 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2016, pp. 1–5.
- J. L. Segil, B. A. Myers, J. F. S. Ph.D, and D. T. Reamon, “Efficacy of Various Spatial Visualization Implementation Approaches in a First-year Engineering Projects Course,” presented at the 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, 2015, pp. 26.590.1–26.590.8.
- S. Sorby, B. Casey, N. Veurink, and A. Dulaney, “The role of spatial training in improving spatial and calculus performance in engineering students,” Learning and Individual Differences, vol. 26, pp. 20–29, Aug. 2013.
- S. A. Sorby and B. J. Baartmans, “The Development and Assessment of a Course for Enhancing the 3-D Spatial Visualization Skills of First Year Engineering Students,” Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 89, no. 3, pp. 301–307, Jul. 2000.