The data in our world is increasing at exponential rates due to the advent of new technologies that monitor and predict aspects of everyday life. Whether we consider the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of climate change on sea-level rise and extreme weather events, or the importance of data in the workplace, data is at the center of the most important issues of our planet. Young people must witness and understand the intersection of data exploration and social justice issues if they are to work towards making the world a better place and be prepared to handle increasingly complex challenges.

Data education can take many forms, but all have the opportunity to change youths’ view of what data is and how they can use data to make a difference in the world.