Educational Innovation Through Cognitive Stimulation to Strengthen Executive Functions and Improve Learning in Adolescents

This project addresses deficiencies in executive functions (working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, and inhibitory control) observed in eighth-grade students of General Basic Education in Guayaquil, which negatively impact their academic performance and school coexistence. Given the lack of structured and validated programs in the Ecuadorian context for this adolescent stage, the research proposes a 10-week quasi-experimental intervention. The methodology employs a pretest-postest design with a non-equivalent control group, using standardized instruments such as the BRIEF-2 and specific working memory tasks. The program will be executed by an interdisciplinary team of teachers and students, focusing on cognitive skill training through structured sessions. Expected results include empirical evidence on the efficacy of cognitive stimulation, the development of innovative pedagogical strategies, and the creation of a replicable model for the educational institution. The impact is projected toward improving academic quality, promoting educational equity, and strengthening the relationship between neuropsychology and education, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 10.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive stimulation program to strengthen executive functions in eighth-grade students of General Basic Education. The project aims to generate scientific evidence that contributes to improving academic performance and socio-emotional skills.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Psychology and education