The Influence of Genetics and Environment on Mathematical Abilities

Last week's episode featured a deep dive with Vanessa into math trauma: what it is and how to avoid it. Today, brain expert Liesl McConchie joins her to explain the neurological science of trauma, debunk the myth of the "math gene", and discuss the hopeful promise of neuroplasticity.  And not to be all clickbaity, but Vanessa ends up sharing some pretty intense math trauma of her own...

About Liesl:  (Twitter, Website)
Liesl McConchie is an international expert on how the brain learns, and co-author of best-selling book Brain-Based Learning with Dr. Eric Jensen. With over 20 years of experience in education, Liesl bridges her knowledge of how the brain best learns with her experience of teaching math to create tangible strategies to support teachers and schools across the globe.

Links referenced:

• Past episode: What even is math trauma? (S5E03)
• Past episode: Pi Day in Prison (S5 bonus)
• Book: Dear Math By Sarah Strong and Gigi Butterfield 
• Rosenthal effect (teacher expectations affecting student performance)

Connect with us:

• Vanessa Vakharia: @themathguru (Insta, Twitter, TikTok)
• Math Therapy: @maththerapy (Twitter)

Topics discussed:

• 1:52 What is brain-based learning?
• 12:31 Neuroplasticity: a message of hope
• 15:05 Myth of the “math gene”
• 20:21 Epigenetics
• 22:26 How math trauma actually works
• 31:42 Classroom strategies for teachers