2026 Theme: Developing a Data Science Mindset

2026 North Carolina Data Science Education Summit
Oct. 16, 2026 | Talley Student Union

A data science mindset starts with asking questions, interpreting information and using evidence to solve problems. Join educators and students to explore how these skills support learning across K–12 subjects, from language arts and social studies to mathematics and science.

Discover practical classroom strategies, try hands-on activities that don’t require computers and earn continuing education credit.

• Substitute reimbursement is available to schools.
• North Carolina teachers traveling more than 50 miles are eligible for hotel accommodations and should contact Taryn Shelton at [email protected] before booking.

2026 Agenda

• 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Check-In + Morning Refreshments
• 9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
  • Welcoming Remarks, with Taryn Shelton and Sarah Heckman
• 9:10 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
  • Building Community: Introductions, with Taryn Shelton
• 9:20 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
  • Developing a Data Science Mindset: Preparing K-12 Students to Question, Explore and Make Sense of Real World Phenomena, with Gemma Mojica
• 10:10 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
  • Break Period + Networking
• 10:20 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
  • Morning Breakouts
• 11:05 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
  • Break Period + Networking
• 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
  • Panel Discussion: Data Science in Every Classroom, with Taylor Gibson, Charles Aiken, Michael Renee and Daniel Fugazot
• 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Data Science in Action: Lightning Talks
    • The Importance of Data Science and the Challenges and Lessons We Learned Together, with Mirela Risden, Dilan Bardales Peña and Tenley Brannan
    • Fossil Shark Teeth as a Tool for K-12 Data Science, with Terry Gates
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Group Photo + Lunch
• 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
  • Afternoon Breakouts
• 1:50 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Break Period
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
  • Data Science to Drive Change: Lightning Talks
    • The Odds Are Against You: Teaching Risk, Reward and Uncertainty Through Data Science, with Arty Smith
    • NCSSM Students Presentation, with Kaavya Saraswatula, Charli Williams, Anamika Hareesh and Amalia Bordoloi
• 2:20 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
  • From Inspiration to Action + More Ways to Get Involved!
• 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Closing: Together for Data Science, with Mahmoud Harding

Morning Breakout Sessions

• Data Science in CTE: CS30 and Beyond
  • Gwen Barnes – Central Davidson Highschool
  • John Burket – Perquimans Co. Highschool
  • Mike Renne – DPI
• Every Classroom Can Be a Data Science Classroom
  • Kristi Ramey – Cary Academy Highschool
• From Archives to Analysis: Constructing Data from Primary Sources with AI
  • Craig Lazarski – Cary Academy Highschool
• Modeling in Science Using CODAP & SageModeler
  • Grace Carroll & Marsha Sirkin – The Science House, NC State University
• DataClassroom Presents: Why is it so hard to choose the right graph?
  • Aaron Reedy – DataClassroom
• Students Lead the Way: Building Data Science Opportunities Together
  • Mahmoud Harding & Lee Ellen Harmer – Data Science 4 Everyone, University of Chicago

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

• From Numbers to Narratives: Engaging Students with CODAP
  • Emily Thrasher – The Friday Institute, NC State University
• Data Science Unplugged
  • Taylor Gibson – NC School of Science and Mathematics
• Designing Social Studies To Embrace Data Science Practices
  • Misha Jemison – NYC Public Schools
  • Chéla Wallace – Solace Rose Innovation Academy
• Opportunity Atlas: Data Visualization and Insights on Economic Mobility
  • Greg Horesovsky – SE Raleigh Magnet Highschool
  • Jessica Miller – Wake STEM Early College Highschool
• Students, What Opportunities Can Data Science Open Up for You?
  • Priscila Neves – Data Science and AI Academy, NC State University