Research Lead - Dr Pierpaolo Dondio, Lecturer, School of Computer Science, TU Dublin
The Happy Maths project aims to reduce Maths Anxiety in primary school students using game-based learning. TU Dublin developed educational games to help anxious and non-anxious students to feel more confident and engaged with Maths. Maths Anxiety (MA) is defined as “a debilitating negative emotional reaction towards mathematics”.
Affecting 1 in 6 students, this condition affects more girls than boys, thereby worsening gender inequality in STEM education. If MA is not dealt with, it will affect mathematics performance and have long-term effects on overall learning and poor self-esteem with numerical skills. MA involves panic, helplessness, paralysis, and mental disorganisation towards arithmetic and mathematical problems.
— Dr Pierpaolo Dondio and colleagues from TU Dublin with the children from St. Anne Primary School in Fettercairn
— Children from St. Anne Primary School in Fettercairn enjoying their maths game
— Children from St. Anne Primary School in Fettercairn enjoying their maths game
— Children from St. Anne Primary School in Fettercairn enjoying their maths game