Descrizione del progetto
Comprendere i determinanti biologici, cognitivi e ambientali dell’apprendimento della matematica
L’eterogeneità nelle abilità cognitive e matematiche è ben documentata e probabilmente riflette le variabilità del sistema cerebrale durante lo sviluppo. Lo scopo del progetto MathControl, finanziato dall’UE, è quello di determinare l’impatto dei sistemi cerebrali prefrontali sulle prestazioni matematiche in una fase critica dello sviluppo della matematica. Alcuni scienziati impiegheranno metodi di neuroimaging per approfondire le implicazioni di specifiche caratteristiche strutturali e funzionali del cervello in strategie di risoluzione dei problemi. Accanto ai parametri biologici e cognitivi, verrà data particolare enfasi al ruolo dei fattori ambientali nello sviluppo delle abilità matematiche in uno stadio di sviluppo critico. I risultati del progetto contribuiranno alla rapida individuazione delle persone a rischio di deficit matematici e contribuiranno a programmi educativi interventistici.
Obiettivo
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.
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
(si apre in una nuova finestra) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoMeccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
75794 Paris
Francia