Aria Gastón-Panthaki

About the author:

Currently, I am interested in children’s screen storytelling and how to make it developmentally and academically beneficial for kids. I also conduct extensive research on creating storytelling activities that aid in AI literacy for both Latinx parents and children. 

Right now, I am working on a project that is co-designing bilingual STEM ebooks with and for Latino families. The hope for these books will be to celebrate Latinidad and familismo while increasing STEM interest and skills of young Latino learners

What I want to achieve:

Screens are here to stay. As researchers, we must make screen products and media as beneficial for children’s development. I hope to create media that can be enjoyed by all ages. Because we know that co-viewing media can increase learning outcomes in children. 
We are at a unique place with AI, where children and parents don’t necessarily know a lot about it. I want to create spaces where there are connected learning environments between parents and children to understand AI and to become critical users. AI is seeping into every part of life, and marginalized communities will be more affected by the negatives of AI. If we don’t spend time creating curriculum by and for Latino families and providing them safe spaces to explore AI and learn to be critical users, we will be leaving that population behind. 

Other information:

I love Bluey and think that it is such an incredible show that is truly for all ages. It seamlessly puts good storytelling and developmental research together to become an educational show both for parents and children. Even as someone in their 20s without children, I myself have learned about my childhood and how I wish to communicate with the children in my life through the show!