Design Squad Latinx (DSL) is a program that helps educators teach engineering and design to Latinx and other youth in 3rd-6th grade through fun-packed, hands-on challenges. Funded by a National Science Foundation grant and developed by GBH, DSL aims to inspire Latinx youth to explore engineering while embracing their cultural identities. By integrating the “Funds of Knowledge” framework, the program highlights the valuable skills youth bring from their families and communities to help students see themselves as designers, engineers, and creators.
The Impact of Design Squad Latinx on Future Engineers
About This Project
GBH commissioned Fluent to conduct an evaluation of the multi-year rollout of the Design Squad Latinx program. The goal was to determine if the program was effective at inspiring, informing, and equipping Latinx youth for careers in the field of engineering.
In addition to several rounds of iterative design work on the curriculum, Fluent Research conducted a comprehensive and robust mixed-methods study. The team combined pre and post surveys, focus groups with youth, interviews with leaders, implementation logs, and club observations to assess the program’s impact on both youth and leaders.
Our research found that DSL inspires Latinx youth, fostering curiosity and confidence in STEM, and strongly prepares educators to guide students through engineering challenges. Encouraging hands-on exploration, DSL deeply engages students in collaborative and creative activities where they find joy in problem-solving and discovery. Our study also showed that by reinforcing a sense of pride and relevance in STEM education DSL highlights the importance of linking engineering concepts with students’ cultural backgrounds. Ultimately, we found that DSL is successful in transforming how Latinx youth perceive engineering, suggesting that when learning reflects their experiences, they thrive. As one participant shared: “I don’t want to be a YouTuber anymore—I want to be an engineer.”