Data Science in Social Studies

What is this project?

Through partnership with Brown University (Bootstrap), KIPP New York, and KIPP Foundation, we will design lessons, projects, and mini-units which integrate data science into social studies class. We believe that students must begin to see how data science is not simply a stand-alone subject, but influences international policies, law, health, social justice movements, housing, and more! Our vision is to pilot and refine this method in 5th grade with the goal of expanding it to K-8th grade in years to come.

Big Goals:

Strengthen data science (DS) and computational thinking (CT) skills: Students will strengthen their higher-order thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills through a variety of CT/DS experiences in science and social studies classes. Introducing both strategies (CT and DS) simultaneously will provide us the opportunity to have full coverage of the K12CS Standards within our K-8 curricula.

1. Change attitudes towards CS/DS, especially among female students: Teachers and students will develop positive attitudes towards CS/DS as they shift from technology consumers to creators, especially female students who are currently underrepresented in our STE programming.

2. Improve college readiness in math: DS integration into social studies will increase student math proficiency, enabling more students to take Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Longitudinal data from our middle schools shows that students who take and pass Algebra 1 in 8th grade can take advanced math courses in high school, putting them on track to pass multiple AP and advanced high school courses.

3. Support social studies instruction by providing training and materials to increase rigor, fun, and investigation! There is a large need for strong social studies curricula across the country, especially for grades 5-8. ​

5th Grade Data Science + Social Studies Curriculum

Unit 2: ​Exploring the Maya Civilization

Unit 3: American Food: Past and Present