Checking in with the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent: Using science to better understand this transformative time of our lives
UCLA Newsroom November 15, 2024
A new article from the UCLA Newsroom highlights the CDA’s work, mission, and recent projects, including STEPS for Youth and the Adaptivity podcast. “If the center fulfills its mission, we will see a greater investment — at the federal, systemic, and educational levels — in young people,” said Co-Executive Director, Adriana Galván.
Recent News
December 2, 2024
For students who are having a difficult time excelling in school, building trust with teachers and caring adults can help them cultivate confidence and a sense of belonging in academic settings. In a new KQED article, Co-Executive Director Andrew Fuligni explains that “adolescents are building an identity, which involves discovering things that you are good at,” and “many students mistakenly believe that academic ability is fixed rather than a developed skill.” By cultivating a growth culture in the classroom and providing positive feedback and affirmation, adults can help students cement a sense of belonging that can benefit their academic success and overall wellbeing.
November 22, 2024
Co-Executive Director Adriana Galván answers questions from the Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) about her life and research prior to her upcoming keynote lecture at the 2025 CNS Meeting in Boston. “I hope that the public can gain a more positive perspective about adolescents. This period of life helps propel us into adulthood and the willingness to explore the world is a key attribute of adolescence that helps us learn through trial and error,” says Galván.
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