Laurie Baker (Bates College), Claire Kelling (Carleton College), Tyler George (Cornell College), and Emily Anna Robinson (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Abstract
Joy and Discovery can be fostered when students see connections between statistics and data science skills and community-driven questions. Community-engaged Statistics and Data Science (CESDS) courses empower students to simultaneously develop technical skills while co-creating solutions with community members. These experiences also build durable skills that cannot be automated by AI. Students develop skills in project management, communication, and collaboration and co-creation with peers and community partners. This breakout session will bring together experienced CESDS instructors with instructors interested in developing CESDS courses at their own institutions. We will discuss the motivations for teaching these types of courses and help instructors think through the possibilities and hurdles to implementing this type of course in their own institutions through guided activities and sharing resources. Our goal is for participants to explore ways a community-engaged learning component might enhance their courses and to form connections with other instructors pursuing similar learning goals.