DATA SCIENTIST: HELPING SOCIETY
LESSON PLAN OVERVIEW
Career: Data scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and computer systems to extract knowledge and insights from data. Data science is also referred to as data mining and big data.
Lesson: This lesson plan provides activities for students to learn about data scientists and how they collect or extract information and knowledge through analyzing large amounts of data. Students will analyze data for a worldwide pandemic and determine how to “flatten the curve” to diminish the spread of the virus. Students will then research how big data can be used to solve problems in the real world to help humanity.
Grade Level: High School
Learning Objectives:
〉 Students will be introduced to the career of a data scientist and how they prepare data for analysis, interpret data, and present findings to inform high-level decisions in an organization.
〉 Students will analyze data for a worldwide pandemic and determine how to reduce and eradicate the spread of the virus.
〉 Students will then research how big data can be used to solve problems in the world to help humanity.
Materials Needed:
Activity #1: Pandemic – Flattening the Curve
〉 Student worksheet
〉 Optional – online access for research
Activity #2: Big Data – Helping Humanity
〉 Student worksheet
〉 Online access for research
TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson Instructions: The following activities will help you introduce students to how data scientists organize and analyze information to determine trends and solve problems. Begin the lesson by reading the Class Message below to your students, then have them watch the recommended career video. Afterwards, facilitate discussion using the Class Discussion Questions listed below.
After the discussion, students will work on two activities. Each activity has a printable worksheet with student instructions and areas to record their work. Have students read their worksheets before beginning each activity.
You should also familiarize yourself with the student worksheets to provide assistance when needed, help demonstrate any procedures, and help in facilitating the discussion that ends each activity.
Class Message: Today, we are going to learn about data scientists and how they organize and analyze big data. Data scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and computer systems to extract knowledge and insights from data.
In this lesson, you will analyze data for a worldwide pandemic and determine how to how to reduce and eradicate the spread of the virus. You will then research how big data can be used to solve problems in the world to help humanity.
Let’s watch this short video to learn more about a data scientist.
Class Discussion Questions:
〉 What do you think big data is? - Response Suggestions: massive amounts of data, all the data collected in the world, all the data collected over time (i.e. government records, purchase records, personal information and records, etc.)
〉 How do you think big data is being collected on you? - Response Suggestions: through Google searches; through social media posts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.; when playing online video games; while watching YouTube videos; every time you go online, complete a form, or make a purchase.
〉 What do you think data scientists do with all of the information they collect?Response Suggestions: search for trends and similarities in purchase behavior, use information to develop new products or services, solve a problem by developing informed solutions, etc.
Activities Overview: This lesson plan includes two student activities. In Activity #1, students will analyze data for a worldwide pandemic and determine how to reduce and eradicate the spread of the virus In Activity #2, students will research how big data can be used to solve problems in the world to help humanity.
Read and familiarize yourself with the student worksheet for each activity
Activity #1: Pandemic – Flattening the Curve
Students will learn about the career of a data scientist by analyzing data from the COVID19 virus to determine how to flatten the curve by reducing the spread of the virus. “Flattening the curve” means reducing the rate at which new people are infected.
Activity Instructions:
〉 Hand out the student worksheet.
〉 Introduce the activity and guide students as needed.
〉 Optional – provide online access for research.
〉 After completion, facilitate a discussion using the questions for the activity.
Activity Results: Students learned how data scientists analyze data to solve a problem
Scientific Questions:
What information is shown in the graph?
Cumulative total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States from 1/12/20 to 4/8/20.
List all of the elements of the graph:
Bar graph
X axis = Date of illness onset
Y axis = Number of cases
Data displayed shows the cumulative total number of COVID-19 Cases in the U.S. from 1/12/20 to 4/6/20.
What scientific statements can be made about this graph?
Positive cases of COVID-19 were relatively low from 1/12/20 to 2/29/20
In March and April of 2020, positive cases increased dramatically compared to January and February
The graph shows that the number of cases per day continues to rise
Raw Scientific Data:
This table represents the raw data for the Cumulative Total Number of COVID-19 Cases from 3/20/20 to 4/8/20.
Calculate the Daily Increase for each day.
3/27/20
3/28/20
4/6/20
4/7/20
Create a graph to show the Daily Increase of cases from 3/20/20 to 4/8/20. If available, use Google Sheets or Excel to create the graph or use the grid below.
Sample Graph
Daily Increase 3/20-4/8/2020
Which day had the largest increase in the number of cases?
The largest increase in the number of cases was on 4/6/20
What do you think the statement ‘flattening the curve’ means?
Flattening the curve means to reduce the number of new cases of infection in order to diminish or stop the spread of the virus. This will allow medical professionals to treat and care for a manageable volume of infected patients and to possibly allow more time for medical researchers to find a cure or vaccine.
What do you think can be done to decrease the number of cases or “flatten the curve”?
Sample answers may include:
Close all K-12 schools and universities
Discontinue stores, restaurants, or social gatherings where there is a large number of people, such as sporting events, movie theaters, concerts/festivals, stage shows, shopping malls, funerals, places of worship, etc.
Implement social distancing where individuals stay at least 6 feet away from one another
Quarantine infected individuals
Have employees work from home
Conduct drive-through virus testing
Provide the necessary protective equipment and medical supplies needed to healthcare system to take care of infected patients
Using the data in the Daily Increase graph you created, create another graph showing what would happen if social distancing begins to flatten the curve. If available, use Google Sheets or Excel to create the graph or use the grid below.
Sample Graph
Flattening the Curve
Activity Discussion:
〉 Why do you think it is important for data scientists to research and track this type of information? - Sample answers may include: to analyze the data to make decisions or to implement or revise processes and procedures, to understand what is happening and the reasons why it is happening, to better manage the outbreak of the virus, to learn from the data and make changes for the future, etc.
〉 What do you think could have been done to better contain the COVID-19 virus in the U.S.? - Sample answers may include: close boarders quicker, stop incoming flights arriving from infected countries sooner, order and stock the necessary medical supplies needed to treat patients, test people sooner for the virus and quarantine infected individuals, etc.
〉 What are some things that can be done to prevent the COVID-19 virus from recurring in the future? - Sample answers may include: create a vaccine to help prevent the virus, provide better access to testing kits, better educate individuals on germs and protecting themselves, encourage year-round use of hand sanitizer and washing hands frequently, practice social distancing to prevent the spread of illnesses, etc.
Activity #2: Big Data – Helping Humanity
Students will select a research project using big data to solve a problem in the world to help humanity.
Activity Instructions:
〉 Hand out the student worksheet.
〉 Introduce the activity and guide students as needed.
〉 Provide online access for research.
〉 After completion, facilitate a discussion using the questions for the activity.
Activity Results: Students learned about the career of a data scientist by using big data to solve a problem in the world and helped humanity.
Activity Discussion:
〉 How do you think the use of big data can help solve social issues? - Sample answers may include: identify underserved populations, identify disparities within or between different economic classes, identify changes over time regarding social issues, identify trends in social-emotional responses, identify gaps in education or technology, etc.
〉 As a society, why is it important to study big data and improve existing systems?Sample answers may include: to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to housing, education, healthcare, and other socioeconomic opportunities.
〉 Why might it be important to use big data to study changes in the environment?Sample answers may include: to predict future changes to the environment, identify and respond to areas of coastal erosion or flooding from storm runoff for prevention or remediation, study global warming and the changes in weather patterns or temperatures, etc.
CAREER INSIGHT
Career Highlight: This lesson plan highlights some of the concepts and skills a data scientist uses to analyze large amounts of data to solve a problem or to change a business process or product. See the Employers in My Area section to contact businesses and organizations in your area about classroom demonstrations, on-site visits, or other additional career exposure opportunities.
Featured Career:
Data Scientist
Career Description: Data scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and computer systems to extract knowledge and insights from data. Data scientists prepare data for analysis, interpret data, and present findings to inform high-level decisions within an organization. Data scientists incorporate skills from computer science, mathematics, statistics, information visualization, graphic design, marketing, and business. Data science is also referred to as data mining and big data.
Data scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and business operations and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and many other fields.
Data scientists write algorithms that are used to detect and analyze patterns in very large datasets. They improve ways to sort, manage, and display data. Computer scientists build algorithms into software packages that make the data easier for analysts to use. For example, they may create an algorithm to analyze a very large set of medical data in order to find new ways to treat diseases. They may also look for patterns in traffic data to help identify and respond to car accidents faster.
Data scientists typically do the following:
〉 Collect large amounts of data and transform it into a more usable format.
〉 Solve business-related problems using data-driven techniques.
〉 Work with a variety of programming languages, including SAS, R, and Python.
〉 Have a solid grasp of statistics, including statistical tests and distributions.
〉 Stay on top of analytical techniques such as machine learning, deep learning, and text mining or analytics.
〉 Communicate and collaborate with both IT and business teams.
〉 Look for order and patterns in data, as well as spotting trends that can help a business’s bottom line.
Other Names for this Career: Research Scientist, Computer Scientist, HPC (High Performance Computing) Applications Manager, Control System Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Scientific Programmer Analyst, Computer and Information Research Scientist
EDUCATOR RUBRIC
Activity #1: Pandemic – Flattening the Curve
ITEM
Pandemic –Flattening the Curve Questions
Does Not Meet Expectations
Student unable to ascertain the answers to the questions about interpreting the data from graphs. Student did not refer to the title and axes labels when answering questions. Student
Pandemic –Flattening the Curve Graphing
Student graph was incomplete and or inaccurate. Graphs lacked multiple elements, such as title, axes labels, correct units of size and/or was inaccurate.
Discussion Questions Did not participate in the activity discussions.
Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
Student was able to ascertain the answers to the questions about interpreting the data from graphs. Student referred to the title and axes labels when answering questions.
Student graph was accurate and properly labeled title, axes using the correct units of size.
Student was able to ascertain the answers to the questions about interpreting the data from graphs. Student referred to the title and axes labels when answering questions. Student used proper units on all answers.
Student graph was accurate and properly labeled title, axes using the correct units of size. Student graph was done with precision and attention to detail.
Participated in the activity discussions. Participated in the activity discussions and made connections to real world experiences and the profession of farming.
Activity
ITEM Does Not Meet Expectations
Writing with Focus and Organization
In response to the task and the stimuli, the writing: contains no or an irrelevant introduction, demonstrates an un clear organizational structure; ideas are hard to follow most of the time and fails to clarify relationships among ideas and concepts.
Language The writing illustrates little to no use of precise language, domain-specific vocabulary and literary techniques, illustrates little to no syntactic variety, and utilizes no or few transitional words and phrases. The writer does not establish or maintain a formal style and an objective tone
Development In response to the task and the stimuli, the writing inadequately or inaccurately explains the evidence provided, demonstrating little understanding of the topic, task, and stimuli
Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
In response to the task and the stimuli, the writing contains a relevant introduction, utilizes adequate organizational strategies to create a mostly unified whole and to aid in comprehension and clarifies most relationships among ideas and concepts.
The writing illustrates consistent command of syntactic variety for meaning, utilizes appropriate and varied transitional words and phrases and establishes and maintains a formal style and an objective tone.
In response to the task and the stimuli, the writing utilizes relevant and sufficient evidence from the stimuli to adequately develop the topic.
In response to the task and the stimuli, the writing contains an effective and relevant introduction, utilizes effective organizational strategies to create a unified whole and to aid in comprehension, and effectively clarifies relationships among ideas and concepts to create cohesion. Contains an effective and relevant concluding statement.
The writing illustrates consistent and sophisticated command of precise language, domain specific vocabulary, illustrates sophisticated command of syntactic variety for meaning and reader interest effectively establishing and maintaining a formal style and an objective tone.
In response to the task and the stimuli, the writing thoroughly and accurately explains and elaborates on the evidence provided,
demonstrating a clear, insightful understanding of the topic, task, and stimuli.
ACTIVITY #1: PANDEMIC – FLATTENING THE CURVE
Introduction: Today’s data scientists not only analyze and resolve issues with computer technology, they are found in all types of industries and businesses. Data scientist are analytical data experts who have the technical skills to solve complex problems and have the curiosity to explore what problems need to be solved.
A data scientist is part mathematician, part computer scientist, and part trend-spotter. They unearth business insights and trends that lead to increased revenue or efficiencies. Data scientists work in computer technology, manufacturing, marketing, healthcare management, and medical science industries, to name a few.
Data scientists work with ‘big data’ which is a term used to describe the emergence of incredibly powerful ways to gather and analyze digital information to gain new insights about nearly every aspect of our world and lives. It is the ability to extract meaning and to sort through huge masses of numbers to find the hidden patterns, unexpected correlations, and surprising connections.
Activity Description: In 2019, the world was hit with the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus that has killed hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.
In this activity, you are a data scientist and must study the data given to determine how to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. by reducing the spread of the virus.
Activity Procedure: Review the scientific data and answer the questions that follow.
Scientific Data:
Graph taken from cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates
Scientific Questions:
What information is shown in the graph?
List all of the elements of the graph:
What scientific statements can be made about this graph?
Raw Scientific Data:
This table represents the raw data for the Cumulative Total Number of COVID-19 Cases from 3/20/20 to 4/8/20.
Calculate the Daily Increase for each day.
3/20/20
3/26/20
3/27/20
3/28/20
3/29/20
3/30/20
3/31/20
4/1/20
Create a graph to show the Daily Increase of cases from 3/20/20 to 4/8/20. If available, use Google Sheets or Excel to create the graph or use the grid below.
Which day had the largest increase in the number of cases?
What do you think the statement ‘flattening the curve’ means?
What do you think can be done to decrease the number of cases or “flatten the curve”?
Using the data in the Daily Increase graph you created, create another graph showing what would happen if social distancing begins to flatten the curve. If available, use Google Sheets or Excel to create the graph or use the grid below.
Activity Discussion:
〉 Why do you think it is important for data scientists to research and track this type of information?
〉 What do you think could have been done to better contain the COVID-19 virus in the U.S.?
〉 What are some things that can be done to prevent the COVID-19 virus from recurring in the future?
ACTIVITY #2: BIG DATA – HELPING HUMANITY
Introduction: As the big data market expands, the quality and scope of the information has increased immensely. More and more data can now be collected and analyzed at a much faster rate. The large amounts of information can be a valuable source for governments, private industry, corporations, manufacturers, retailers, and non-profits to name a few.
This large collection of data can also be used to solve economic and social problems such as the equality of opportunity, housing, education, health, the environment, and criminal justice.
How do you envision data scientists and big data technology being used to solve problems in the world to help humanity?
Activity Description: In this activity, you are a data scientist and your assignment is to complete a research project using big data to solve a social issue.
Activity Procedure: Select one of the topics listed below or create your own topic using big data to solve a social issue. Research your social issue online, and then write an opinion paper to include an introduction stating the issue and your position, the body to present supporting information for your position including data, and a conclusion to summarize your point of view on the issue.
How can a data scientist use big data to solve social issues? Choose one of these topics or create your own topic:
〉 Secondary Education – Learning for All Students?
〉 Higher Education = Upward Mobility?
〉 Economic Opportunity for All – Removing Racial Disparities
〉 Improving Access to Healthcare for All
〉 Effects of Air and Water Pollution on our Environment
〉 Reversing the Effects of Climate Change
Activity Discussion:
〉 How do you think the use of big data can help solve social issues?
〉 As a society, why is it important to study big data and improve existing systems?
〉 Why is it important to use big data to study changes in the environment?
Write your research notes and outline here:
Write your opinion paper here:
Present Your Opinion Paper
