Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/X6LuNJS8iP0

 

A just published study from Pittsburgh’s Carnegie-Mellon University disproves the urban myth that boys surpass girls in mastery of mathematics or math-based science.  The psychologists studied 104 children 3 to 8 years of age .

 

Using MRI, the researchers determined the subjects’ math brain function while observing a video about counting and addition.    The scans were compared with each other but also with those from adults who watched the same math videos.

 

The conclusions:  no girl-boy differences in brain function, development, or maturity while thinking about math principles. 

 

These results plus previous work showing gender-equal ability to use math should encourage girls as well as boys to seek careers in math and science.

 

Kersey, A.J., Csumitta, K.D. & Cantlon, J.F. Gender similarities in the brain during mathematics development. npj Sci. Learn. 4, 19 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41539-019-0057-xx

 

#Math #science #girls #MRI