Nora S. Newcombe

This training program prepared four postdoctoral fellows to apply cognitive science principles to crucial issues in education, with a special focus on mathematics, language development, and early learning.

The purpose of the National Center on Cognition and Science Instruction (NCCSI) is to modify and adapt two widely used middle-school science curricula by applying three theoretical principles of cognitive science: analogical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and student prior knowledge. Additionally, professional development materials will be created. The efficacy of the modified curricula and the support materials will be examined with scientifically rigorous, randomized controlled trials. Esta...