Erin R Ottmar

Dr. Erin R. Ottmar is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Learning Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), affiliated with the Department of Social Science & Policy Studies. She directs the MAPLE (Math Abstraction Play Learning Embodiment) Lab, focusing on educational technology and mathematics cognition.

She holds a BA in Psychology and Elementary Education from the University of Richmond (2005) and a PhD in Educational Psychology: Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia (2011). Her postdoctoral training was completed at the University of Richmond.

Her research integrates educational, cognitive, and developmental psychology to design interventions improving mathematics teaching/learning. Key projects include developing dynamic educational technologies like From Here to There and Graspable Math that embed perceptual learning and gesture-based interaction. Her current work examines how cognitive and non-cognitive pathways combine to enhance K-12 mathematics education, using classroom observations, longitudinal data, and multi-level modeling.

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on:

• Perceptual learning mechanisms in mathematics
• Educational technology efficacy
• Classroom implementation studies
• Game-based learning analytics
• Cognitive factors in mathematical reasoning

Awards include:

• NSF CAREER Award (2022)
• Sigma Xi Outstanding Junior Faculty Researcher Award (2022)
• AERA Early Career Fellow (2016)

She actively mentors graduate/undergraduate students in the LST program and Psychology department. Major grants include NSF funding for projects on perceptual cues in algebra learning ($668K) and AI-supported teacher tools. She emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world applications in her lab.