Oceans of Data Institute

Challenge

Big data is changing industries—including health care, journalism, science, and manufacturing—at breakneck speed, and these rapid changes are challenging the U.S. education system to keep pace. How can we make sure that students have the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in an increasingly data-driven world?

EDC’s Oceans of Data Institute (ODI) is committed to ensuring all students gain data literacy skills and know how to use data to make informed decisions. ODI is transforming K–16 education by supporting educators in integrating data literacy instruction into all school subjects. The institute is also working with community colleges, big data industry experts, and career and technical educators to create pathways to data careers.

Key Activities

ODI collaborates with scientists, engineers, educators, and business people to

Develop and test educational materials that foster data literacy, for example, EDC Earth Science (nationally distributed curriculum), Resources for Educators Using Data in the Classroom (online hub), and Ocean Tracks (interactive online learning environment)
Conduct research to advance knowledge of effective strategies to promote data literacy
Convene innovators and thought leaders, such as Booz Allen, Google, and Microsoft, to help shape ODI’s work (Building Global Interest in Data Literacy: A Dialogue)
Provide guidance to scientists and designers in creating tools for students and citizens (Visualizing Oceans of Data: Educational Interface Design)
Lead projects and publish resources—including Profile of a Big-Data-Enabled Specialist and Tools for Building a Big Data Career Path—to support workforce preparation

Impact

Over 50,000 visitors from around the world have visited Ocean Tracks.
Building Global Interest in Data Literacy: A Dialogue has been downloaded 1,600 times.
Over 7,000 visitors have accessed Resources for Educators Using Data in the Classroom.
Visualizing Oceans of Data: Educational Interface Design has been downloaded 1,400 times.
Profile of a Big-Data-Enabled Specialist has been downloaded 600 times.
Tools for Building a Big Data Career Path has been downloaded 500 times.