Reading & Writing Learners in STEM: Why Words Still Matter

Every student learns a little differently. Some need to move, some need to see, and some need a really good book and a notebook full of ideas. That’s where the VARK model comes in: a simple way to break down how kids absorb information and show what they know. 

In this blog post, we’re diving into the reading and writing learning style and sharing how to equip these text-loving learners so they can shine in your STEM classroom.

What’s a Reading and Writing Learner, Anyway?

These students are all about the written word. They live for lists, they devour articles, and they’d rather write it down than talk it out. They’re the ones filling notebooks with color-coded notes and happily tackling multi-page essays. In short, they process the world through reading and explaining it in writing.

You’ll often spot them sitting back with a textbook, taking notes mid-lesson, or crafting a beautifully detailed Captain’s Log after a robotics challenge (more on that soon). These learners tend to thrive in traditional academic settings, but with a few tweaks, they can thrive in hands-on STEM settings too.

Teaching Tips for Reading and Writing Learners

Want to help these learners feel seen and supported, especially in a hands-on STEM class? Here are some quick-win strategies to integrate into your teaching toolkit:

• Assign writing-rich projects like lab reports, research summaries, or even science-themed short stories.
  

• Always provide written instructions, even when explaining things verbally or with visuals.
  

• Add text to visuals. Diagrams, slides, and charts work better with key terms or captions.
  

• Encourage summarizing. Have students jot down what they’ve learned at the end of each lesson.
  

• Make note-taking part of the process. Provide space in journals or worksheets for students to reflect as they go.
  

• Offer engaging reading materials to go deeper on a subject—articles, blog posts, even well-written Wikipedia entries.
  
  

With these simple additions, you’re building bridges between how students naturally learn and what STEM content demands.

STEM Lessons That Speak Their Language

STEM tends to get branded as “hands-on only,” but that’s selling it short, especially for students who think with a pencil in hand. Let’s explore a few lessons from Sphero Central that give reading and writing learners plenty to sink their highlighters into.

Persuade Me, BOLT+ (Grades 3–5)

Have you ever tried to persuade someone to see things your way? BOLT+ can help! In Persuade Me, BOLT+, your students will run a program to see an example essay. Then they’ll develop their own topic and use the program to make it as persuasive as possible.

Your students will go on a robotic writing journey as they use BOLT+ to help organize their essays. This lesson’s power comes from students using BOLT+ as a writing tool. The finished product is a compelling essay that they turn in and then present to the rest of the class.

Ready, set, write! 

Rebuilding Rome with Blueprint: Historical Irrigation Systems (Grades 7–10)

Engineering meets history in this lesson, where students study ancient aqueducts, then build and modernize their own using the Blueprint Engineering kit.

They’ll start by researching Roman aqueducts, how they worked, why they mattered, and what today’s cities still use from that design playbook. Students can read background materials, analyze diagrams with written instructions, and even explore case studies of modern water systems.

Then comes the building phase: students work in teams to reconstruct (and improve!) an aqueduct using Blueprint parts. Along the way, they’ll write detailed build logs that explain their choices, challenges, and improvements.

Wrap-up options include:

• A short report on the design and testing process,

• A class presentation, or

• A visual + written reflection comparing their system to the original Roman design.

Why it works: This lesson balances hands-on creation with heavy doses of reading, writing, and research, perfect for students who love digging into context.

Different Styles, One Classroom

No two students learn the same way, and that’s a good thing. By designing standards-aligned lessons that speak to all learning styles, Sphero makes STEM more inclusive, creative, and accessible. When reading and writing learners feel like their strengths belong in science and engineering, we unlock a whole new world of engagement.

Want more ideas for tailoring STEM lessons to different learners? Check out these posts in our learning styles series:

• Auditory Learning Style & Strategies

• Embracing the Visual Learning Style with STEM

• Encourage Tactile Learning in the Classroom