Teens learning data science is in the news!

There is quite a buzz around the Introduction to Data Science (IDS) course, developed by the Mobilize Project. This past week, EdSource, KQED News, and the Daily Bruin have written about the course.  IDS was first piloted in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in 2014-2015.

The EdSource article, “‘Big data’ classes a big hit in California high schools” highlights the increasing popularity of data science in high schools. Similarly, the KQED News article, “Los Angeles Teachers Give Students a Jump-Start on Data Science Careers,” identifies the relative success of the Introduction to Data Science (IDS) course in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). KQED News reporter Katrina Schwartz notes how IDS classes provide students with a useful and “highly employable” skillset. The Daily Bruin article, “UCLA faculty designs data analysis curriculum for high school students” further underscores the expansion of this course to other districts and its critical value for the future workforce.

For the past several years, CRESST has served as the external evaluator for Mobilize, documenting the implementation of Mobilize’s innovative curricula, including teachers’ and students’ learning in computational and statistical thinking practices, and data investigations. To learn more about the Mobilize project at CRESST, click here.