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YouQuantified
In the role of Data Explorer, students will construct a personal data biography (stories of how a dataset was produced and used) and will engage in a series of activities in which they explore brain, body, and behavioral data.
Minimum recommended class time: 2-4 hours & Recommended support: Level 1-2
Map
Map
This is a student's first introduction into YouQuantified
Class 1: Introduction to data and the project
Class 1: Introduction to data and the project
In this first session, James explores different types of personal data - brain, body, and behavioral data by looking at data visualizations from a single case.
He starts to think about ways that he can see data about his own daily activities.
Class 2: What claims can I make and how was the data collected?
Class 2: What claims can I make and how was the data collected?
James walks into a class and the teacher dims the lights to project a moving wave of colors representing EEG data. (which activity does each alpha wave pattern belong to-- make a hypothesis?)
The class then learns how EEG data is composed of different wave frequencies that represent different brain states.
Make a data-based argument (claim-evidence-reasoning) based on the data we've explored today.
Class 3: What does my brain look like?
Class 3: What does my brain look like?
The teacher organizes students into groups. Students spend time exploring the pre-collected dataset from class 2 on their own using different YQ visualizations.
During class each student gets to take a turn using the EEG to explore a question of interest. James visits the EEG station and the teacher helps him put the device on and collect data.
Sample_artifact_YQ.mp4Class 4: How do I visualize my data?
Class 4: How do I visualize my data?
Students spend the class creating a data visualization and writing a data biography. See the sample exploration below.
Sample Exploration
Sample Exploration
Does Scrolling Through TikTok Help You Relax?
Does Scrolling Through TikTok Help You Relax?
I was curious whether my brain would behave like other people’s when doing everyday tasks like watching videos. I started by looking at the class dataset from college students who watched social media clips. Their brain data showed a spike in beta waves, suggesting alertness or focus. I had assumed mine would look different because I scroll through TikTok to relax.
But when I collected and graphed my own EEG data, I saw something unexpected. My alpha waves were actually higher during doodling than during TikTok. This seemed backwards, but after thinking about it, I realized that when I doodle, I’m in a super relaxed flow state—maybe more so than when I’m scrolling. However, compared to the college students, my brain still seemed less reactive during social media time.
It made me realize that personal experiences really shape data, and it’s not always one-size-fits-all. Even though we all did similar tasks, our brainwaves told slightly different stories. I think comparing my data to others helped me understand what variation looks like in data and how important it is to consider context when interpreting data.
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