Research Interests

I am interested in the development of mathematical and scientific reasoning in school and informal settings. I am currently coordinating an NSF-funded multi-museum study of museum visitors’ understanding of evolution (MacFadden & Camp, PIs) at the Florida Museum of Natural History. I am also involved with the development, implementation, and evaluation of a preschool science- based literacy curriculum " Marvelous Explorations through Science and Stories" ( read more ).My other research focuses on the development of early numeracy in family interactions, social influences on children’s strategy choices, and children’s understanding of measurement.

Education
Carnegie Mellon University, Post-Doctoral Fellow, 1991-1994
University of Utah, Ph.D., Developmental and Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1987
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, B.S. Psychology, 1977

Selected Publications and Presentations
Vasta, R., Miller, S., & Ellis, S. (November, 2003). Child Psychology 4^th edition. New York: Wiley. ( Web Site )

Benigno, J., & Ellis, S. (in press). Two is greater than three: Effects of older siblings on parental support of preschoolers’ counting in middle-income families. Early Childhood Research Quarterly.

Ellis, S., & Benigno, J. (2000, August). Contextual influences on parental support of children's problem solving. Paper presented at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Ellis, S., & Gregoire, M. (1999, June). Sociocultural and cognitive aspects of teaching and learning in elementary mathematics and science classrooms . Paper presented at the Carnegie Symposium on Cognition and Instruction: 25 Years of Progress, Pittsburgh.

Ellis, S. (1997). Strategy choice in sociocultural context. Developmental Review, 17, 490-524.

Ellis, S. (1995, March). Developmental changes in children's understanding of measurement. Paper presented at the biennial meetings of the Society for Research in Child Development, Indianapolis, IN.

Ellis, S., Klahr, D., & Siegler, R. S. (1993, March). Effects of feedback and collaboration on children's use of mathematical rules. Paper presented at the biennial meetings of the Society for Research in Child Development, New Orleans.

Ellis, S, & Gauvain, M. (1992). Cultural influences on children's collaborative interactions. In L.T. Winegar and J. Valsiner (Eds.), Children's Development within Social Context. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Ellis, S., & Schneiders, B. (1989, April). Collaboration on children's instruction: A Navajo versus Anglo comparison. Paper presented at the meetings of the Society for Research in Child Development, Kansas City, MO.

Ellis, S., & Rogoff, B. (1982). The strategies and efficacy of child vs adult teachers. Child Development, 53, 730-735.