Higher spatial skills are associated with increased interest, performance, and creativity in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). However, evidence for causal relations between spatial skills and STEM performance remains scarce. In this study, we test the extent to which mechanical problem solving, a spatially demanding STEM activity, facilitates spatial performance. Participants (N = 180) were randomly assigned to one of four training conditions: mechanical reasoning with a hands-on component; mechanical reasoning without a hands-on component; an active control condition involving spatial training with cross-sectioning; and an active control group involving a reading exercise. All participants were tested immediately before, after, and one-week following training. Both mechanical conditions were associated with enhanced spatial visualization performance, an effect that was similar for both conditions and remained stable across immediate and delayed post-tests. These findings suggest that mechanical problem solving is a potentially viable approach to enhancing spatial thinking.

更高的空间技能与 STEM 领域（科学、技术、工程、数学）的兴趣、表现和创造力的增加有关。然而，空间技能和 STEM 表现之间因果关系的证据仍然很少。在这项研究中，我们测试了机械问题解决（对空间要求很高的 STEM 活动）在多大程度上促进了空间表现。参与者 (N = 180) 被随机分配到四种训练条件之一：具有动手组件的机械推理；没有动手组件的机械推理；一种主动控制条件，涉及带有横截面的空间训练；和一个主动控制组，包括阅读练习。所有参与者都在训练前、训练后和训练后一周接受了测试。两种机械条件都与增强的空间可视化性能相关，这两种条件的效果相似，并且在即时和延迟后测试中保持稳定。这些发现表明，解决机械问题是一种增强空间思维的潜在可行方法。