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STEM is Meaning-Making

Hands-On Learning for Spanish Speakers

Of the more than five million PreK-12 students in the U.S. who are English learners (EL), 76%1 are Spanish speakers. For these students, navigating complex or unfamiliar learning environments can make some educational experiences feel out of reach. Spanish transcreations The Spanish-language versions of PLTW Launch and PLTW Gateway are not just simple text translations, but human-driven transcreations. These versions incorporate audio and video media, cultural context where appropriate, and localized text translations for the US and North America. These features provide vital scaffolding for multilingual learners, allowing them to access grade-level content in their native language while simultaneously building their confidence and enhancing their English proficiency. Click to close. of your STEM curriculum are a critical form of support, and they give students the opportunity to explore, connect, and engage with their world in ways that truly resonate.

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Spark Your Students' Curiosity

To help schools equip every student for a STEM-driven future, all PLTW
curriculum for PreK-8 students includes Spanish versions at no additional cost.

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Save time with a ready-to-use resource that doesn't
require additional translation

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Improve academic outcomes in math and reading
among EL students

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Remove barriers to a future in the most in-demand fields

Heard in the Teacher's Lounge

Educators say it better than we ever could, so here’s what a few of your peers have said about the experiences, impacts, and outcomes of their PLTW programs for Spanish-speaking students. 

“There's a high demand for the dual immersion program. Everyone wants to be in PLTW, even from other districts. There's a buzz from other teachers, too, who want to know what the PLTW teachers are doing. The students are learning vocabulary along with the STEM, and the dual immersion students outperform students in 4th & 5th grade in district language arts & math. 

Kathy Carbajal, Two Way Bilingual Instructor
Ramona Elementary School in Hawthorne, CA

“You're always looking for opportunities for [English language learners] to use higher-level skill words, particularly level two words. That language you need beyond conversational English is hugely important. 

The program really facilitates ...using those words and also starts getting into industry-specific jargon.” 

Don Isbel, Career Technical Education
Santa Ana USD in Santa Ana, CA

“We started implementing PLTW about five years ago after being tagged by the state for not meeting the state's requirement for science growth two years in a row, so as an emergency measure, we decided to explore PLTW. And with very positive results, now we are close to 90% passing rate.

Instructional Coach
Canutillo ISD in El Paso, TX

“With PLTW Gateway curriculum, I don't have to spend any time creating a translation into Spanish for my Spanish-speaking students to understand. PLTW has already done that for us!”

Chris Scott, PLTW Gateway Teacher
Arlington Middle School in Indianapolis, IN

“We are a predominantly 96% Hispanic community… [and] are highly underrepresented in the STEM fields. When I saw what my students were able to do with Project Lead The Way, I just knew that this kind of program could change trajectories.

Jessica Reyes, PLTW Launch Teacher 
Santa Ana USD in Santa Ana, CA

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Let Your Spanish-Speaking Students Shine

Try Rosie’s Runtime—a fun, computational thinking activity for K-5 students that gets the whole classroom out of their seats, working together, and into a coding mindset! Click below to get the resources in Spanish and English.

Try This STEM Activity

Real World Curriculum
for Any Classroom

Every school implements STEM differently and PLTW is designed to fit any approach. Whether you’re supporting hundreds of Spanish-speaking students or just one, you can provide equitable learning opportunities to your entire student population.

  • Dual Immersion
  • Spanish instruction
  • Bilingual education
  • Independent resource
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Classroom Posters in Spanish

Inspire your students' future-focused thinking with these vibrant posters.

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Explore All the Posters

Stay in the Know on PLTW in Spanish

Want to talk to a member of our team?

The PLTW Solution Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reach out at 877.335.7589 or solutioncenter@pltw.org.

1 Archer, et al., 2010; Tai, et al., 2006 

2 https://www.ncela.ed.gov/files/fast_facts/olea-top-languages-fact-sheet-20191021-508.pdf