NetApp Data Explorers Engages Youth in Data Science Education – Case
Challenge
Develop and implement a global social impact program that addresses the critical need for data science education starting at a young age, leverages the company’s expertise and engages NetApp employees.
Select Activities
- Signature Program development
- Strategic planning
- Naming + messaging
- Impact storytelling
- Skills-based volunteerism
- Community events
- Public-private partnerships
- Measurement + evaluation
Select Activities
- Program development
- Strategic planning
- Naming + messaging
- Impact storytelling
- Skills-based volunteerism
- Community events
- Public-private partnerships
- Measurement + evaluation
Overview
NetApp believes the ability to understand and work with data has never been more critical, especially for youth as they learn, grow and prepare for the societal and personal challenges that lie ahead. But the reality is that most classroom and learning experiences are not adequately teaching critical data literacy concepts and skills.
To address the need for data science learning experiences, NetApp created NetApp Data Explorers to empower teens to discover and develop critical data science skills, preparing them to thrive and take action in a data-driven world. The program is designed to reach and engage under-represented youth in less-resourced communities and inspire them through their inherent interest in creating social change.
About the Program
NetApp partnered with the TERC, Concord Consortium and the India STEM Foundation to develop the curriculum. Placing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and data sets at the center of the experience, students ages 12-16 dive into a 12-week afterschool learning journey. They quickly deepen their awareness of how pervasive data is in our lives. The club-like program takes place in school and other NGO locations near NetApp offices in the U.S., India and Europe. empowers students to learn how to question, manipulate, interpret, visualize, analyze and problem-solve with data. Mid-way through the program, students work in teams to tackle a question within a local social issue that they are concerned about such as climate change, poverty or health. Applying their new skills, they share their project and passion for social change in a culminating presentation. NetApp employees coach student teams and share their personal experiences of how data is used in their diverse careers.
To build awareness of and advocate for the importance of data science education, NetApp has joined leaders from all sectors via groups such as Data Science 4 Everyone and World’s Largest Lesson. In addition, NetApp is committed to sharing insights from the Data Explorers program and evaluation to advance the field. The goal is to scale the program to reach more educators and students and provide other “snackable” data science experiences exploring social issues that are available to all. For NetApp, it’s all about taking action with data.
Point of View Report: How to Prepare Youth for a Data-filled Future
In this report, NetApp, TERC and The Concord Consortium highlight the imperative to prepare youth for a data-filled future. By sharing best practices and challenges from the development and implementation of the NetApp Data Explorers program, this white paper aims to educate and inspire the creation of more data science learning experiences in the afterschool and youth development arenas.
“Becoming data fluent is not only important for young people’s future in diverse careers, it is foundational for our collective ability to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges.”
