Four days after most of their school years concluded, 21 local TK-5 elementary teachers and two elementary math coaches participated in a professional development workshop focused on integrating data science concepts into elementary curricula. Led by Cal State Fullerton faculty, the workshop was offered through Project IDEEM — Infusing Data Science Education into Elementary Mathematics.
This unique program provides training on data science education to elementary teachers who are typically not offered such opportunities. The $75,000 professional development grant, which supports local teachers in learning data science pedagogy, was awarded to Bridget Druken, associate professor of mathematics; Cherie Ichinose, professor of mathematics; Jessica Jaynes, associate professor of mathematics; and Mallika Scott, assistant professor of elementary and bilingual education.
Participants from Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District and Fullerton Elementary School District attended four three-hour workshops, one online and three in-person sessions. Participants were compensated with a stipend for completing activities before, during and after the workshop, including a follow-up meeting in the fall. The workshop themes included: The Data Life Cycle, Data Everywhere, Data Science and Technology, and Storytelling With Data.
As one teacher wrote, “This workshop offered time to collaborate with colleagues, share ideas, practice in real time and learn from each other.”
The Data Life Cycle
Participants answered seven questions designed by workshop leaders, using sticky notes to depict their answers. Blue sticky notes represented easy answers, while pink indicated challenging ones. This exercise helped teachers meet one another and understand the process of collecting, cleaning and representing data visually. The data life cycle was introduced by posing an investigative question, collecting and gathering data, analyzing and representing data, and interpreting and communicating the resulting story to address the initial question.
Data Everywhere
Teachers created their own investigative questions and collected data via data cards. These data cards were index cards with names in the center as well as answers to the seven questions. They created seven copies of their index cards, allowing each group to collect, sort, tidy and visually represent the data to answer their question.
Data Science and Technology
Teachers learned about two technologies useful for collecting, representing, analyzing, interpreting and communicating stories about data — the Preschool Data Toolbox for TK-1 students and the Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP) for grades 6-14. During the synchronous online session, teachers chose which tool to explore in small breakout rooms while engaging in the data life cycle.
Storytelling With Data
The workshop concluded with teachers sharing posters about their learning, including adaptations of the data life cycle for their classrooms and example math activities centered on data and data science concepts.
Feedback and Future Plans
Teacher feedback praised the experience for its collaborative nature, interactive approach with many hands-on learning activities, a supportive and responsive off-site environment, and effective presentation of information with engaged faculty.
Project IDEEM leaders will conduct follow-up interviews with participants in fall 2025 to support planning, implementing and debriefing their data science activities in math class.
A new cohort will be recruited and funded for a second workshop in June 2025. TK-5 teachers interested in applying should visit the Project IDEEM website for more information. For more information or to fund teachers attending this workshop, please contact Bridget Druken at bdruken@fullerton.edu.