What happens in the ENGRAMMETRON?

The Educational Neuroscience Laboratory in the Faculty of Education also serves as the central hub for the Educational Neuroscience Group for Research into Affect and Mentation / in Mathematics Education (ENGRAM/ME). In this capacity, the lab is also referred to as the ENGRAMMETRON.

We typically connect electrodes that collect EEG (electroencephalography) data emitted from the participant's head using a skull cap that holds in place 64 electrodes. These electrodes are connected to the scalp by a special gel that enhances conductivity of the voltage potentials of the biopotential field generated by the brain. By collecting these data, ENGRAM/ME researchers can discern which parts of the brain are active for certain mental and/or emotional activities, such as problem solving, or feeling anxious.

The ENGRAMMETRON is also capable of collecting other types of embodied data related to affect and mentation. These include heart rate; breathing rate; skin conductance; pupillary response; eye blinking; and eye tracking, which measures where the eye focuses on a computer screen. By tracking various body and brain responses to stimuli, ENGRAM/ME researchers hope to determine and monitor the attributes of certain learning experiences and develop and pilot appropriate interventions that will improve both learning and teaching.

Recently the lab has conducted experiments on math anxiety, pattern recognition, concept formation, biofeedback, and also on the anxiety of English as a Second Language learners.

If you are interested in visiting the lab, watch for our next open house. Researchers interested in touring the lab should contact either the lab director, Dr. Stephen Campbell, or the lab outreach coordinator, Kate Patten: kepatten@sfu.ca