Author(s): Dagney Goodfellow, Lauren Jensen, Derek Baker, Seunghwan Shin
Mentor(s): Guizella Rocabado
Institution SUU
Spatial reasoning is a critical skill in organic chemistry, particularly in understanding molecular geometry and visualizing 3D molecular structures. However, research has shown that males generally perform better in 3D visualization tasks, while females excel in memorization. This trend can create challenges for female students, especially in STEM fields where their representation tends to decrease after the first year of college. Our project investigates how students approach the visualization of 3D molecular structures and explores the resources they use to enhance their spatial reasoning. Through surveys and interviews, including the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, we have found distinct differences in learning preferences between male and female students. Males tend to prefer conceptual learning and engaging with visualization tasks, while female students are more inclined toward memorization strategies. These findings suggest that teaching approaches may need to be tailored to accommodate these preferences to optimize learning outcomes in organic chemistry. This presentation will discuss the implications of these findings for both teaching and research, highlighting strategies for supporting diverse learning styles and improving the spatial reasoning skills essential for success in organic chemistry.