Education

Introduction

Our vision is to create a model Data Science and Analytics program for colleges and universities in Arkansas to promote problem-based, and experiential-based pedagogy in critical thinking and analysis, technology familiarity, and foundation in math and statistics. This will form the basis of an educational ecosystem where learners receive a designed, consistent, sequenced, scaffolded, and modular education in data science with further educational and/or job opportunities available at appropriate points in their careers.

DART will foster the establishment of a Statewide Data Science Educational Ecosystem by:

  • Developing a combination of model programs, degrees, pedagogy, and curriculum including a 9- week middle school coding block; a technical certificate, certificate of proficiency, and associate of science in data science; and a Bachelor of Science in data science with minors or concentrations.
  • Providing resources and training for educators including $5,000 Seed Grants for project-related Education & Broadening Participation; Career Development Workshops for project participants and educators; and K12 teacher professional development on data science topics.
  • Providing educational opportunities inside and outside the classroom for students. Undergraduate and graduate research assistantships in DART labs will be funded along with intensive data science and computing summer camps for undergraduates and research-based capstone projects and internships with industry partners.
  • Ensuring broad participation to impact the pipeline of data science skilled workers through Summer Undergrad Research Experiences in DART labs for underserved students, scholarships for underserved students to the ASRI; and by connecting students to opportunities through the ACDS.

Goal

  1. Contributing to the Data Science Educational Ecosystem by developing a combination of model programs, degrees, pedagogy, and curriculum including certificates; an associate of science in data science; and a Bachelor of Science in data science with minors or concentrations.
    • Faculty Leads: Karl Schubert, Steve Addison
    • Objectives
      • Raise awareness, interest, and enrollment in data science courses through targeted workshops, special events, career fairs, and related activities at campuses throughout Arkansas.
      • Create a set of postsecondary programs of core courses with options for electives for a consistent set of Data Science Undergraduate degrees, Concentrations, and certificates.

Advancing the State of the Knowledge

Programs in data science are not currently offered at most Arkansas IHEs. On the other hand, courses and programs in computer science and statistics are widely available across a spectrum of institutions. Through this project we expect to ensure that all collaborating IHEs will gain a better understanding of the nature of data science and the appropriate educational resources that such programs require. When the project is complete data science programs will be widespread across the state and will be available to all interested Arkansans.