Reimagining STEM Learning for Latine Families

The M.A. Educational Transformation and the Program in Education, Inquiry & Justice invite you to a talk by Dr. Susana Beltrán-Grimm on "Reimagining STEM Learning: Co-Designing Equitable and Culturally Responsive Educational Tools with Latine Families"!

This in-person event is open to members of the Georgetown University community and non-Georgetown University members who have registered for the event. Attendance will be taken at the door.

To watch a virtual livestream of the event, please visit .

This event will be recorded.

Friday, March 28, 5:00pm-7:00pm ET

Car Barn 204

Georgetown University

3520 Prospect Street NW

For questions or accommodations, contact Anne Musica at [email protected].

Abstract

Developmental and educational research often overlook the voices and experiences of minoritized communities, particularly Latine families, in the creation of early childhood learning tools, resources, and programs. This talk explores the potential of co-design methodologies to center Latine families’ cultural strengths, funds of knowledge, and lived experiences in developing early STEM educational resources. Drawing from participatory action research and human-centered design, I discuss findings from multiple studies engaging Spanish-speaking Latine mothers in co-developing STEM activities and digital tools that reflect their home practices and linguistic realities. This presentation highlights how bilingual and community-driven approaches can enhance early childhood STEM learning, making early childhood education more relevant and accessible to diverse learners. By incorporating evidence-based participatory research strategies, I showcase how culturally responsive design principles can bridge home and school learning environments, fostering stronger family-educator partnerships. Additionally, I discuss the implications of this work for bilingual teacher training, early learning policy, and professional development. Through this discussion, I invite educators, researchers, and policymakers to rethink traditional early learning models and embrace co-designed, community-informed solutions that empower Latine families as active partners in their children’s education.

Susana Beltrán-Grimm, Ph.D.

Dr. Susana Beltrán-Grimm is an Assistant Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology and Education at Portland State University. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology with a specialization in learning technologies from Pepperdine University. Prior to coming to PSU, she was a postdoctoral research associate in the Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University. Her research focuses on asset-based approaches to examine the home math environment, explore children’s digital media and tools, identify Latine families’ social and cultural contexts, and center co-design approaches to promote equity in research methods. Dr. Beltrán-Grimm received the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Educational Research Association’s (AERA) Latina/o/x Research Issues Group and has been honored with the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Early Career Transdisciplinary Fellowship. Dr. Beltrán-Grimm’s research has thrived in applied settings, as the Early Learning Director for the PBS Station in Los Angeles, and in academic settings, acknowledging her dedication to advancing translational and transdisciplinary research deeply connected to community needs. Dr. Beltrán-Grimm also works as an education consultant with several nonprofit organizations to translate research into practical and enduring evidence-based interventions and resources that are connected to the community and have a practical impact on children and families.

Host or Publisher MA in Educational Transformation, Georgetown University