MathicSTEAM R&D Project Team
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14099/51
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Item Open Access Equity-Focused Programs to Measure and Promote Math Learning and Executive Functioning(2023-06-05) Ramani, Geetha B. ; Guo, Siling; Pahor, Anja; Buschkuehl, Martin; Mayes, AmandaDisparities found in children’s mathematical achievement are often due to unequal access to opportunities and resources. Therefore, providing rich, challenging, and evidence-based approaches for all students is critical for reducing differences in math outcomes. Targeting foundational underlying skills, such as executive functioning (EF), also could assist in reducing these inequalities found in math performance. This symposium includes four projects that are a part of the EF+Math Program, which supports multidisciplinary teams to develop methods and tools to measure and promote math learning by strengthening EF skills. The program centers students in grades 3-8, with a particular focus on Black and Latine students experiencing poverty in the United States. The symposium will present innovative methods and tools designed with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion to test and promote mathematical learning and executive functioning. In the first presentation, Guo will discuss an active and playful learning approach to promote children’s rational number learning and emotions. In the second presentation, Pahor will present a novel set of tools to measure and visualize math and EF skills using mobile app technology. In the third presentation, Buschkuehl will present findings from a novel web-based program to promote math fact fluency and EF skills simultaneously. Finally, Mayes will discuss a curriculum overlay for 3rd-5th grade students to improve EF skills, math identity, and math outcomes for Black and Latine students. Together, the symposium will present innovative approaches that could be used as resources and opportunities to enhance students’ mathematical outcomes.Item Open Access Testing the Benefits of an Embedded Math Fluency and Executive Function Intervention in Children(2022-06-01) Feng, Yi; Buschkuehl, Martin; Grose, Gillian; Jaeggi, Susanne M.; Ramani, Geetha B.; Chil, Eunice; DePascale, MaryMath fluency, the ability to solve arithmetic problems quickly and accurately, is highly predictive for future math achievement. A lack in math fluency skills results in individuals devoting more cognitive resources to executive functions to solve math problems. In addition to this compensatory relationship, executive function skills contribute to math learning, thus, there is a bidirectional relationship between math and executive function skills. We created a novel intervention to maximize math learning by embedding executive function training within math fluency training. Consisting of three games that can be played on mobile devices, our intervention requires the retrieval of arithmetic facts while also completing increasingly difficult working memory and inhibitory control tasks. Three fourth grade and two fifth grade classrooms were assigned to either a training group that was asked to play the games at least four times per week over the course of three weeks, or a waitlist control group. Before and after the intervention, all participants were assessed on math fluency and executive functions, and in addition, they rated their perceptions of their own strengths in these skills. In this presentation, we will report the outcomes of the intervention by comparing pre- and post-outcomes for the two groups and by illustrating whether and how self-reported strengths relate to pre-existing skills and training effects.Item Open Access Cultivating Mathematicians: When DEI Drives Design(2022-09-30) Skaggs, KelseyMIND Research Institute blogs highlight best practices in math education, blended learning and innovative learning strategies that inspire students at all ages. The blog Cultivating Mathematicians: When DEI Drives Design features the work we are doing with MathicSTEAM.Item Open Access People, Process, and Penguins: Designing Math Experiences(2021-10-13) Coffey, Brian; Ching, Alyssa; Young, Tyron; Feldmann, MatthewOur latest episode features a recent panel discussion about MIND's design approach to ST Math and other learning experiences we create for schools, students and families. Co-hosts Senior Academic Director Brian Coffey and Curriculum Developer Alyssa Ching interview our VP of Curriculum & Instruction Twana Young and VP of Product Matt Feldmann about user feedback, neuroscience, designing for all students, and of course, our beloved penguin JiJi.