Data Science In High School

 

Things are changing. When I went to college many years ago, one wanted to have enough math in high school so you could go straight into calculus if you were majoring in the hard sciences.  In fact, if you could manage to take calculus in high school, even better but the requirements for what is needed in the real world has changed.

People are now thinking that a different approach is necessary for advancing in the hard science fields because data and statistics are being used more and more rather than calculus.  In fact, the collection and interpretation of data is being used to make predictions, interpret the events of the world, or explain the world.  

In fact, most data science has become a major player in the world and many are predicting that all high schools should offer a class in it.  Although sciences traditionally have used data and statistics over the years, other professions such as economics, politics, and education are relying more heavily on it.  Jo Boaler is recommending that schools provide instruction to students to help them develop data literacy.

Unfortunately, traditional pathways in modern education still have students taking a sequence leading to calculus. Furthermore, most schools still do not offer stand alone data science or statistics courses.  Statistics is often incorporated into Algebra I and II classes such as in my district.  This means students only get a surface knowledge of the material rather than a more in depth understanding.

It is hoped by offering additional classes in data analysis and statistics in high school, students will be better prepared for college and the workforce. If this cannot be done, it has been recommended that classes offer students the opportunity to work with large sets of data.  It is something students need to do before they graduate from high school.

In fact, if students take data science classes in high school, it opens up a chance to participate in the up and coming career of data scientist.  A data scientist sorts through data and provides the information necessary for various industries to make informed decisions. At the moment, there are more jobs available than candidates to fill them.

So if we want our students to understand more of the world around them while preparing them for a career or at least offer the tools needed to help them succeed, we need to begin offering data science classes in high school.  Unfortunately, education tends to be a bit slow in changing to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.