Mary DePascale

Mary DePascale is an assistant professor in the Division of Educational Psychology and Methodology in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology. She earned her PhD in Human Development and Quantitative Methodology from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed an NSF STEM Education postdoctoral research fellowship at Boston College. 
Dr. DePascale’s research focuses on understanding and promoting children’s math cognition and development. Her work examines (1) the role of play and informal learning opportunities for early math development, (2) caregiver-child interactions as a mechanism for math learning and cognitive development, and (3) children’s mathematical engagement, exploration, and problem solving. Her research uses multiple methods (e.g., observation, experimental intervention) to address these questions and examine the roles of factors that contribute to variability in early math development (e.g., parental support and children’s engagement in their math learning) and the effectiveness of play-based and informal activities on children’s math cognition and development.