MOSCOW, ID — University of Idaho associate professor Shiyi Chen has been awarded a five-year, $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study how young children develop metacognition — the ability to think about and regulate their own learning — and how it impacts science education.

Chen, who teaches in the Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, will lead three studies involving preschool and kindergarten students. The research will examine classroom practices, test how feedback shapes learning, and develop a professional development program for teachers.

“Young children’s metacognition is still developing,” Chen said. “That can limit their ability to reflect on their thinking and draw conclusions from science activities, which shows why teachers play such an important role.”

The project will support graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and a coordinator. Findings are expected to help teachers strengthen children’s thinking skills and improve early science learning.