The Developmental Cognitive Science Lab investigates basic research in cognitive development and its application in designing effective PreK-12 STEM instruction. Our research focuses on the development of scientific and mathematical reasoning, informal learning, and motivation. The goal of our research program is to identify mechanisms underlying children’s reasoning (e.g., strategy acquisition) and motivation (e.g., praise type) using a variety of experimental methods (e.g., eye tracking) and modeling techniques (e.g., mathematical and computational) and to apply these findings to improve instruction and learning.

STEM Reasoning. Our research investigates how children acquire number and math knowledge, how children and adults make sense of data, with the goal of improving STEM instruction.

Informal STEM Learning. Children learn about science and mathematics outside of school. In one recent project, we created an app (STEMwhere) that allowed us to measure informal learning across time and setting using participant-initiated check-ins to the app.

The Food for Thought project uses food preparation as a context to help families become interested and engaged with STEM content in the hope of promoting learning.

Motivation. Our results demonstrate that it is critical to give consistent praise related to effort (rather than trait-based praise) in order to increase persistence after experiencing difficulties.