Josh Recio (Charles A. Dana Center)
Abstract
How can secondary-to-undergraduate pathways spark joy and discovery in statistics amid AI? This session showcases Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning (ISQR), a problem-based high school course using authentic datasets and interdisciplinary contexts to cultivate statistical literacy, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking. We’ll demonstrate how ISQR invites wonder through exploratory tasks, student-designed questions, and storytelling with data and AI. Curriculum samples and brief hands-on activities illustrate classroom moves that center human values, curiosity, and collaboration. Drawing on a 12-state pilot and implementation research, we’ll share what enabled joyful learning at scale: low-floor tools, equitable task design, transparent assessment, and teacher supports. Participants will leave with insight on bridging K–12 preparation with introductory undergraduate statistics, quantitative reasoning, and data science, so students arrive ready to discover in a data-rich, AI-aware world.