Project description
Understanding the biological, cognitive and environmental determinants of maths learning
Heterogeneity in cognitive and maths skills is well documented and probably reflects brain system variabilities during development. The scope of the EU-funded MathControl project is to determine the impact of prefrontal brain systems on maths performance over a critical stage of maths development. Scientists will employ neuroimaging methods to investigate the implication of specific structural and functional features of the brain in problem-solving strategies. Alongside the biological and cognitive parameters, special emphasis will be placed on the role of environmental factors on the development of maths skills over a critical developmental stage. The project's results will contribute towards the prompt identification of individuals at risk for maths deficits and assist towards interventional educational programs.
Objective
Mathematics is essential for functioning in the 21st century. Critically, heterogeneity of math skills is well documented, with profound consequences for educational and professional outcomes. Heterogeneity in cognitive skills is likely due to variability of several features in multiple brain systems throughout development. Yet, the characterization of these systems and their contribution to heterogeneity of math skills is still in its infancy. Building on the applicant's previous studies on functional brain plasticity during math learning, the present project combines state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods with cognitive paradigms in the context of a longitudinal design, to assess the underappreciated contribution of domain-general prefrontal brain systems to individual differences in math performance, over a critical stage of math development. This study tests the specific hypothesis that shifts in math problem-solving strategies, gradually favoring one -efficient- strategy over multiple -laborious- ones, is supported by the successful development of multiple structural and functional features of dedicated neurocognitive systems for cognitive control, anchored in the dorsal frontal-parietal cognitive control, and the insula-cingulate salience networks. Furthermore, this study tests, for the first time, the contribution of adverse environmental factors to these processes. The simultaneous investigation of biological, cognitive and environmental contributions to math performance over a critical developmental stage represents a significant step towards the early identification of individuals at risk for math deficits and propels novel ways for developing ad-hoc educational programs. Critically, this project is set to have a crucial impact on the applicant's career by broadening her theoretical and methodological skills, promoting her transition to independency, and by situating her as an international leader in a novel, interdisciplinary, translational field.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.