First grade students in the Dual Language Spanish Immersion program at West Buncombe Elementary took their learning to outer space with a recent student-led astronomy presentation delivered entirely in Spanish.
Under the guidance of teacher Laura Rojas, students researched planets, created visual projects, and presented their findings to classmates, staff, and families. The experience built confidence, strengthened public speaking skills, and reinforced second-language development in a meaningful, real-world context.
“They’ve researched their planets, created projects, and now they’re ready to present in front of others,” Rojas said. “First grade is when students really begin developing their speaking skills, and doing that in a second language makes it even more meaningful.”
The event also featured songs, constellation learning, and an interactive quiz game that engaged the audience and celebrated what students learned. By sharing their knowledge, students deepened their understanding of astronomy and took pride in their growing bilingual abilities.
