Researchers Bruce McLaren and Jessica Hammer at Carnegie Mellon University discovered that girls significantly gain more mathematical skills from the game Decimal Point than boys. Their findings aim to inform educational game design regarding gender interactions. However, the cancellation of their NSF grant has raised concerns over the prioritization of research in the US, especially projects focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This termination was part of a larger trend impacting over 1,200 grants across leading scientific organizations, forcing researchers to reconsider their objectives for future studies and funding prospects.
McLaren expressed disappointment over the cancellation of their grant, especially as it focused on gender in digital learning, which he believes is critical for educational advancements.
Hammer highlighted the challenges ahead but expressed gratitude for the progress made in their research, which showed that girls gain more from the educational game than boys.
Sethuraman Panchanathan of the NSF emphasized that the terminated grants lacked alignment with agency priorities, particularly those focusing on niche groups based on protected characteristics.
The NSF's decision is part of a broader trend, as similar funding cuts affecting DEI-focused research have occurred at both the NSF and NIH, raising concerns in the scientific community.
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