MU Math Study - Psychological Sciences - University of Missouri-Columbia

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Welcome!

The purpose of this study is to document the development of skills in children with a mathematical learning disability and their typically-achieving peers. The goal is to identify the basic cognitive systems (for example, memory) that underlie difficulties with math. This will lead to refined diagnostic techniques and the development of improved remediation tools.

In 2002, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development developed a new program area entitled Mathematics and Science Cognition and Learning, Development and Disorders. The objectives of this program are to explore the critical genetic, neurobiological, cognitive, linguistic, socio-cultural, and instructional factors that influence normal and atypical development in math and science. The Cognitive Development Lab in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia was one of a select few research centers that were initially funded under this program area. We are in the fourth year of a five-year study on Mathematical Development across the elementary school years.

Over 300 children and their families are participating by allowing us to do activities (reading and math tasks) with the children twice per year, and by keeping in touch with us so that we can compare data across years as the children get older. Dr. David Geary and the math study team would like to thank these families, Columbia Public Schools, and all the teachers and principals that have helped us conduct this study.

MU Math Study
Cognitive Development Laboratory
200 S. 7th Street
132 Psychology Building
Dept. of Psychological Sciences
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211-1350
phone: 573-882-8529
toll-free number: 1-866-593-0003
email: mumathstudy@missouri.edu