Research
Knowledge of Rational Numbers
Although rational numbers are a central topic in math classes since the 3rd grade, many middle school students and even adults perform poorly on rational number tasks. Why do children have difficulty learning rational numbers? We address this question by examining the cognitive mechanisms of the learning and processing rational numbers as well as the environmental factors contributing to these processes.
Selected Publications:
Spatial Skills and Gender Gaps in STEM
Despite the vast progress women have made in education and the workforce over the past 50 years, men continue to dominate many STEM domains, especially the math-intensive ones. Recent evidence suggests that the gender difference in general intelligence and math abilities is minimal to non-existent. Why do women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields? We address this question by examining the role of spatial skills and academic motivation.
Selected Publications:
