What's happening: A cross-curricular collaboration between S.T.E.P. and Señora Downey's AP Spanish class turned movie night into an immersive cultural learning experience.
Students explored Colombian traditions, cuisine, symbolism, music, and vocabulary through Disney's "Encanto," with AP Spanish students leading presentations on each cultural element.
The creative twist: Inspired by the film's magical doors that reveal each character's unique gifts, students designed their own doors as personal canvases to showcase their individual identities and talents.
Why it matters: The project demonstrates how popular media can serve as an effective bridge for cross-cultural understanding while encouraging personal reflection and artistic expression. The collaboration helps students connect language learning with cultural appreciation and self-discovery.
The bottom line: When education meets entertainment, students explore their own identities in the process.
