A proposal for the development of a study to determine the effectiveness of a creativity-centered unit of study in the advancement of spatial abilities of American and Japanese female engineering students

The purpose of this project is the development, evaluation and implementation of a creativity-centered unit of study in the advancement of spatial abilities of American and Japanese female engineering students. This project is envisioned as a partnership between the author and colleagues in universities in Japan. The benefits will include international cooperation between Japanese universities and Purdue University in developing spatial ability research. Female engineering students will also hopefully benefit from the findings of this research. This paper discusses the project and the theoretical foundation upon which it was based. The experimental treatment will consist of exposure or no exposure to a unit of study in creativity in an engineering graphics course