Science Learning with Hero Elementary: Blended Learning Resources to Reach English Learner Students

Hero Elementary is a transmedia educational initiative aimed at improving the school readiness and academic achievement in science and literacy of children grades K-2. With an emphasis on Latinx communities, English Language Learners, youth with disabilities, and children from low-income households, Hero Elementary celebrates kids and encourages them to make a difference in their own backyards and beyond by actively doing science and using their Superpowers of Science. The content is aligned with NGSS and CCSS-ELA for K–2. This report summarizes findings from a case study with 4 large afterschool programs serving students who are historically underrepresented in STEM. The findings here are focused on English learners. The guiding questions were: 1) Do the design features of Hero Elementary support access to science learning for K–2 English learners? 2) What adaptations do educators make to Hero Elementary resources to provide greater access to the content for their English learners? Data included administrator and educator interviews, written communication with educators, and observations of educator planning meetings. All educators reported that their English learners were able to successfully access and engage with all aspects of Hero Elementary content. The findings detailed below describe how Hero Elementary’s design features and educators’ adaptations facilitated English learners’ engagement in science and literacy learning.