About 20% of students in U.S. classrooms today speak a language other than English at home, and multilingual learners (MLs) make up more than 10% of public school enrollment. But many MLs face challenges in STEM and are placed in pull-out programs that separate them from hands-on, real-world science experiences. And, despite efforts to make science more accessible for multilingual learners (MLs), traditional teaching strategies haven’t always been effective.
The Role of AI in Supporting Multilingual Learners in Science
One area that’s been largely overlooked is the power of AI to support MLs in learning science.
That’s where Inq-ITS comes in. Unlike other platforms, we use AI to give students real-time feedback and personalized support right when they need it, guiding them as they build critical thinking and inquiry skills that align with U.S. science standards. Recently, the Inq-ITS team extended their AI tutor to support Spanish speaking students!
In a recent doctoral study conducted by Jeremy Lee, one of Dr. Gobert's doctoral advisees, he examined how AI-driven Spanish scaffolds and accommodations impact ML students’ science inquiry competencies.
The results were striking:
✅ ML students who received help from our Spanish AI tutor significantly outperformed their peers who did not receive this support.
✅ Many of these benefits were long-lasting - even when tested on a brand-new science topic five weeks later.
What This Means for the Future of STEM Learning
These findings highlight the power of AI to bridge learning gaps and provide MLs with equitable access to high-quality science education. Instead of being sidelined due to language barriers, students can actively engage in science investigations with real-time, AI-driven guidance tailored to their needs.
At Inq-ITS, we are committed to using innovative AI solutions to transform science learning for ALL students, especially those who have historically been underserved. By integrating AI-based support, we can create a more inclusive STEM environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
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