Current Lab Projects

EF+Math. How can we characterize the state of the learner in a way that is accurate, precise, and useful for math educators? Our team aims to create sophisticated computational models that predict areas of productive struggle on relevant math tasks, where student work may lead to improved concept
knowledge. We leverage modeling approaches from interdisciplinary studies of
complex systems ranging from classrooms to neurological processes involved in cognition. We integrate these computational modeling tools along with cognitive science and educational psychology principles relevant to executive functioning and math learning. This project combines lab-based behavioral studies, computational modeling and classroom-based approaches.



Bridging the Enviroment and Neurodevlopment for Children's Health (BENCH): The overall goal of this project is to investigate how disparities in day-to-day exposure to air pollution impacts children’s cognitive functioning and performance on educational tasks. Though there is a clear connection between air pollution exposure and children’s developmental outcomes, much of this work focus on long-term exposure and broad outcomes, such as secondary school graduation rate or primary school grades. We bring a fine grain analysis of neurocognitive processes that underlie children’s abilities in the classroom and minute-by-minute variation in pollution exposure. Our proposed study addresses the connection between complex effects of daily exposures to combustion related air pollutants, and the dynamic changes in children’s neurocognitive functioning as relevant to performance in educational settings. We address how air pollution exposure affects the cognitive processes necessary for math learning. Children’s early numerical skills are useful to focus on as they predict later mathematical performance, general academic performance and even employment outcomes.

This work is being done in collaboration with Devon Payne-Sturges at the School of Public Health.

And more...