One of the significant and ongoing challenges affecting STEM education in the United States is the changing student demographic, with increasing numbers of multilingual learners studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in their second language. Language plays a vital role in how students understand and engage with STEM — fields that can lead to higher education and future careers.
Language, Culture, Knowledge Building through Science (LaCuKnoS) is a National Science Foundation-funded project led by Cory Buxton, professor in the College of Education at Oregon State University College. The project supports teachers in multilingual classrooms by helping them integrate students’ language, culture and knowledge-building into science learning.
The lessons are developed by the LaCuKnoS team in collaboration with the Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) program, an after-school STEM club network that serves multilingual and rural communities statewide. Teachers participate in focused professional development workshops to bring these methods back to their classrooms.
The project supports teachers in multilingual classrooms by helping them integrate students’ language, culture and knowledge-building into science learning.
A key contributor to LaCuKnoS is Francisca Marrs, OSU Extension Service specialist and associate professor in the College of Forestry. The LaCuKnoS team developed forestry curricula that include reading materials to build language skills and hands-on activities in topics such as wildfire science, forest engineering and forest management. The team’s lessons are grounded in real-world STEM applications and are designed to connect students to natural resources and evolving workforce opportunities.
One example invites students to role-play as forest landowners or foresters, analyzing maps of mixed-age forests and developing sustainable management plans. Lessons also integrate cultural knowledge, including the historical use of fire by Indigenous peoples to maintain oak savannas. These components not only teach STEM concepts but help students see science as connected to their own communities and identities.
Over four years, LaCuKnoS developed 31 lessons (10 on forestry topics) and hosted professional learning events for 78 teachers on average per year. These teachers reach over 900 students in grades four through 12 across 51 schools in 18 Oregon school districts every year. These students are 55% female, 41% Latino/a/x, 8% Native American/Alaska Native, and 12% multiracial. Additionally, 75% are first-generation college-bound, and 93% are from low-income households.
Beyond classrooms, LaCuKnoS has supported Family Math and Science Nights and community STEM Challenges to foster family engagement and deepen learning.
As LaCuKnoS concludes in 2025, OSU Extension remains committed to supporting equitable, workforce-aligned and culturally responsive STEM education throughout Oregon — preparing the next generation for success in both college and the evolving economy.