Relationship between earth-science education and spatial visualization

The purpose of this study was to look for interrelations between the study of introductory geology courses and the development of spatial-visualization ability. The study was conducted among 32 undergraduate students during their first year of earth sciences study in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The students' spatial-visualization ability was measured at the beginning and at the end of the course by two different validated instruments. Pre- and post-geology scores were analyzed for any significant change and for correlation with final scores in the course. Results indicated that the students' spatial-visualization ability significantly improved after the first geology course was taken. Interviews revealed that the students claimed that only the earth-science courses required spatial-visualization skills. It is suggested that there is a two-way relationship between studying earth science and spatial-visualization skills. It seems that studying earth science itself might improve student spatial-visualization aptitude. The findings also support the notion that males develop better spatial-visualization skills.