Integrating Data Literacy and Storytelling in Middle School Computer Science-Infused Curriculum

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Five
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT047 (Sunday)

Abstract

This study presents a Computer Science-infused curriculum to support middle school students in developing their data science literacy and computational thinking skills, building on the storyline model to embed data science and computational practices into a phenomenon-based and student-centered learning sequence. Students investigate the anchoring phenomena using programmable sensors: they are asked to provide data-informed recommendations to master gardeners on how to improve yield in the community gardens to increase food production. As they work through their investigation, students progress from core practices of collecting and analyzing data towards developing personally-relevant narratives that connect their data and recommendations to community priorities through storytelling.

Authors

• Lalita Suwattee, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Srinjita Bhaduri, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Jennifer K. Jacobs, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Quentin Biddy, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Tamara Sumner, University of Colorado - Boulder