Early Bridges to Data Science

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Advances in data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence are reshaping society, the economy, and everyday decision making. Developing data literacy and a foundational understanding of how data and AI influence the world has become essential for informed citizenship and future careers. This course focuses on building early data science awareness and enthusiasm among middle school students, with particular attention to historically underrepresented or under-resourced communities. This community-engaged service course provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to Grow the Good in Business by applying data science and analytics for positive social impact. Students work in small teams as mentors in local middle school science classrooms, where they build relationships with youth partners, assess their existing understanding of data and technology, and guide them through introductory lessons on data acquisition, exploration, visualization, and interpretation. Students support youth partners in developing a data-informed project that culminates in a clear and compelling data story. To ground this experiential learning, the course includes lectures, readings, and in-class activities centered on the question: How do we make a good story out of data? Students explore principles of data storytelling, ethical and responsible data use, and effective communication of insights while developing leadership, communication, and project management skills.