WHAT IS MEMAT?
The Millennium Nucleus for the Study of the Development of Early Mathematical Skills (MEMAT) seeks to understand early mathematical development and promote mathematical learning for all children.
The development of early mathematical skills is crucial because it affects students’ future mathematical trajectories, which increases a country’s global competitiveness. In Chile -and in the world- there are persistent socioeconomic status (SES) and gender gaps in mathematics achievement and participation in related areas (e.g. science), which undermine many students’ opportunities to learn and contribute to society.
OBJECTIVE
We seek to understand how children’s mathematical experiences – in multiple contexts – contribute to equitable learning opportunities, and to understand the mechanisms that ensure successful mathematical trajectories in the future, with a focus on gender and SES gaps.
MEMAT’s research will include children, families and teachers, to comprehensively study the phenomenon, generate evidence to contribute to national and international research, and inform educational policy.