The Project
Engaging Young Black and Latino Students in Data Science Through Water Security
An NSF ITEST Project
America's Water Education (AWE) project is funded by an NSF grant, which brought together researchers from the Columbia Water Center and instructors from the Eagle Academies.
For the project's NSF page, follow this link.
AWE happens both in and outside the classroom
Curricular Activities
Enhancing teaching units and capstone projects with interactive authentic data platforms
Co-curricular activities
Hosting a Water Exhibit and conducting a Speaker series to hone attitudes and empower students
AWE's Theory of Change
If we
incorporate real-world water-related data platforms into core middle and high school curriculum; and,
design and implement co-curricular programming in education and career development;
Then we will see improvement in students’ competencies in
social Emotional Learning skills and dispositions of confidence and self-efficacy; and
cognitive skills in Science, Technology, Engineerging, Mathematics (STEM) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
such that they can choose an education or career in water, data, or more generally in STEM/ICT, should they wish to
Research directions
Framing the design, implementation and testing of the curricular and co-curricular activities described above, three research directions are investigated by AWE's team:
Learning Standards
Are the learning standards equipping the students with the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to work on water issues? What about the data literacy crucial for today's world? Are environmental concepts inclusive of diverse heritage and tackle injustices?
This work is ongoing, but you can learn more on our results so far via our AGU poster on the matter.
Survey Instruments
When exploring instruments to use to measure the outcomes of the curricular activities, we have found a gap in the litterature. Although survey instruments have been developed to measure career choices and inclination, none consider the social or environmental justice dimension.
This work is ongoing.
Data platforms & learning modules
While developing a model for US water allocation and infrastructure, researchers at the Columbia Water Center conducted a comprehensive study on the state of water data availability and dissemination at the state and federal level. This research inspired this project.
Expanding this work is ongoing.