03 Jun “Odd Squad” Math Game Research Heads to ICA 2026
We’re proud to announce that our research study on Dicey Escape, a PBS Kids digital math game, has been accepted to the International Communication Association (ICA) 2026 Conference — one of the leading global forums for communication research. The paper’s first author, Nancy A. Jennings, PhD from the CHEER Lab at the University of Cincinnati, will present the research findings at the conference in Cape Town, South Africa, June 4–6, 2026. Allison Caplovitz, PhD and Tiffany Salone, M.Ed from Fluent Research and Kelly R. Merrill Jr, PhD from University of Cincinnati are co-authors.
The research was conducted when PBS KIDS engaged Fluent Research to answer a straightforward but important question: does the Odd Squad Dicey Escape game actually improve math skills in young children, and how do kids respond to it overall? The study followed children ages 5–7 over a three-week period, measuring their math knowledge before and after gameplay. The findings — and their implications for app design and parenting decisions — are available on our website.
The ICA acceptance brings this work to an international research audience and reflects the broader significance of the study’s findings. The article provides a deeper look at the methodology, results, and what they mean for educators, parents, and digital content developers. Read the full text here: Digital Games and Math Skills Development: Leveraging Digital Play with Early Math Trajectories in the PBS KIDS’ Odd Squad Game Dicey Escape.