STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Familia Talk

STEM Familia Talk: A Bilingual Language Acquisition Smart Speaker App to Improve Academic Vocabulary, Engagement and Long-term Education and Health Outcomes for Latino Students and Their Families

After development of the Talk Stem Familia (TSF) smart-speaker application prototype, the study will evaluate the prototype's efficacy in a within-subjects pre-post design study. The sample will contain 50 parent-student/child dyads who will use the Alexa skill app for 6 weeks.

Participants will receive an Echo Dot device enabled with the application prototype using a research Amazon account created for each dyad. The Echo Dot devices will be preconfigured by project staff onto research Amazon accounts. Parents will come to one of several orientation sessions to obtain their device and set-up instructions; staff will provide follow-up phone support as needed. Usage data will show how much the device is used by each dyad. To ensure exposure to TSF, parents will be asked to engage at least 3 times per week; project staff will prompt parents bi-weekly (via text, email, device notification, phone) during the 6-week intervention to encourage usage and provide needed technical support.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Latino parents and their children who are students in grades 3 through 6.
• Parents have Spanish as primary home language.
• Family has wi-fi in the home.
• No age limits for parents. Their child must be in grades 3 through 6.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parents and their children who are students in grade levels below grade 3 or above grade 6.
• Parents do not have Spanish as primary home language.
• Family does not have wi-fi in the home.
• Children younger than 8 (or in grade levels below grade 3).