Data Literacy Immersive Professional Development STEM Experience

The Data Literacy: Creation, Communication and Collaboration Immersive Professional Development STEM Experience explores the ever-changing world of data collection. Core content in physical science, life science, and earth science is covered through the lens of generating, using, and disseminating data in three 75-minute learning modules:

  • Micro:bit Weather Stations: Creating a weather forecast involves millions of individual data points from weather stations, buoys, planes, citizen scientists and more. That data then has to be interpreted by weather models to create predictions. In this module, learners will collect weather data points using sensors, drag and drop programming, and a tool called the micro:bit. Participants will explore how weather models use data points like these to create predictions, and they will track their data points through the systems that create something as complex as a weather forecast.
  • Optics and Data Movement: Once created, scientists and engineers need to move data from one place to another. In this station-based module, learners will explore phenomena relating to data creation and storage, data transmission, optical systems, and more to understand how scientists create, transmit, and store large amounts of data. Stations will include elements such as computer simulations, investigations of optical systems, and explorations of how computers process data.
  • DNA Discovery: In this hands-on module, participants will learn about DNA structure and function, what DNA can teach us, and how scientists isolate, identify, and sequence DNA. We'll tackle the process of electrophoresis and run an agarose gel to separate chemical dyes of different molecular weights. This process, used in PCR testing and many other biological processes, can help scientists learn about our genetic code.

Program logistics:

  • Each team must pre-register with site coordinator.
  • Cost per team of 5 students and 1 teacher/adult chaperone is $195. This cost can be adjusted based upon a school’s Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Rate. Contact Scott Sieke for more information. To reiterate, each team must be led by either a teacher or an adult chaperone.
  • Participants must arrive at the workshop site at 8:45am with a sack lunch and water bottle.
  • Participants can expect to leave between 2:30-3pm.

Are you interested in this topic but looking for a different format? Consider Science Discovery's student-centered STEM Workshops - full-day tactile learning experiences designed to be held at your school for up to three classrooms.

Questions? Please contact Scott Sieke via email.