Orienting to Data with Diving into Data activity from Data to the Rescue

In this activity, learners examine graphs with minimal context and interpret the story the data reveals. This exercise builds essential data literacy skills, such as visualizing and interpreting data, while also fostering creativity and critical thinking as they construct meaning from limited information. 

What We Know

Youth increase their confidence in working with data by talking about it and collaborating with their peers and leaders.  

As you watch the video below: 

• Notice how youth talk about data in this activity.  Are you surprised by their skills? 

• Do you notice a progression in the way the youth talked about data with the facilitator?  

• How can you help youth use data to tell a story? 

What We Learned

Now that you’ve watched the video, reflect on what you saw. 

• What surprised you most about the ideas the youth talked about? 

• How do youth talk about the relationships in data? 

• How could you use graphs to help youth tell stories about data in your program? 

Building Data Literacy Skills

Learners strengthen their ability to visualize and interpret data through hands-on practice. Additionally, we strive to equip them with technical skills and computational thinking, empowering them to leverage technology and tools to effectively analyze and represent data. 

Big Idea

Data literacy is the ability to read, write, and communicate data in context. It is necessary for everyone to have basic data literacy as they interact with the data-centric world around them. 

Find the full Data to the Rescue Curriculum, including an at-home version for individual learners and a club version

https://polar-ice.org/polar-explorer-adventures/

Developed in collaboration with Rutgers University (4-H) and Rutger University’s Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RU COOL).