Data Explorers

Building K-12 data science and AI pathways by connecting educators, students and partners across North Carolina

Data Explorers collaborates with The Science House, The Friday Institute, NC School of Science and Mathematics and COMAP, to make workforce-relevant data science and AI upskilling available to every K-12 student and teacher in North Carolina.

53,600 K-12 students
served

20+ North Carolina counties served

40+ state and national engagements

Join the CS30 Curriculum-Building Collaborative!

Teaching or preparing to teach CS30: Introduction to Data Science?

Join the CS30 Curriculum Development Collaborative — a cohort of CTE educators working with DSA to build flexible, classroom-ready materials aligned to course standards.

Help your students meet the NC Computer Science Graduation Requirement with CS30: Introduction to Data Science

Prepare your students for the future: Data literacy is essential. Our free Virtual Co-Teaching Program makes it easy to bring this vital course to your school, even without a dedicated data science teacher.

Learn more

Apply to become a Data Science School of Distinction

This program recognizes K-12 educators and institutions bringing data science and AI to NC schools. Schools that meet the bronze, silver and gold level requirements will receive individual certificates and banners to commemorate their dedication to improving data literacy in K-12 spaces.

Learn more

Data Stories in the Classroom: Resources for Teaching and Learning

We support educators across North Carolina who teach with data.

Explore datasets, lesson plans, professional development opportunities and curriculum guidance, all in one place.

Share your story and resources.

Explore resources

Attending students and educators pose for a group photo outside the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

NC Data Science Education Summit

The annual NC Data Science Education Summit is a collaborative gathering focused on classroom practice, teacher support and student opportunity.

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Data Science Club

The Data Science Club, launched in Fall 2024, engages high school girls (grades 9–10) in hands-on, project-based learning led by NC State instructors.
Students explore real-world problems, build data skills and present their work at an NC State showcase while connecting with industry.
Interested in starting a Data Science Club at your school? Contact us to learn more.

Organizing members: Priscila Neves Faria, Mahmoud Harding, Taryn Shelton, Frank G. Reed

Connect to learn more

Stay up to date!

Follow the DSA group on the University Calendar, subscribe to our newsletters or follow us on social media for updates on programs, events and opportunities.

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Keeping it Real: Teaching with Data that Matters

A year-long program connects North Carolina educators with real research data, building confidence, collaboration and classroom-ready lessons grounded in local impact.

2025 NC Data Science Education Summit Expands North Carolina’s Data Science Pathways

Educators and students from across North Carolina come together to strengthen statewide capacity for K–12 data science education.

DSA Receives COMAP Gift to Advance K-12 Data Science and Mathematical Modeling Education

$130,000 gift expands data science training, curriculum development and classroom capacity for North Carolina educators.

2024 NC Data Science Education Summit Student Participants

Living and Teaching with Data: 2024 NC Data Science Education Summit Promotes Data Literacy in K-12 Schools

DSA, Data Science 4 Everyone, the Friday Institute, The Science House and NCDPI’s CTE division convened educators, students and industry leaders at the 2nd annual NC Data Science Education Summit (October 2024) to champion data science curricula in NC schools.

Professional Development with adult learners working in groups.

2023 NC Data Science Education Summit

Information about the 2023 NC Data Science Education Summit, including the recordings of the different sessions that took place during the conference.

Bringing Data Science to Rural North Carolina High Schools

Data Explorers kick-off meeting.

Data Challenge Student Participants pose for a group photo.

Mini Data Challenge for Rural High School Students

E.E. Smith High School and J.F. Webb High School came together for a day of collaboration.

FLIP-STEM Education Hub

Our mission is to tackle the grand challenge: “How can innovative technologies empower diverse middle school students to shape their identities and impact learning in unprecedented ways?”

COMAP Gift to Science House and Data Science Academy to Support High School Students

The gift from the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP) will provide rural and high-need schools with training, resources and support to participate in mini data challenges at NC State that lead to participation in national and international challenges such as the High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling. The grant is the first major gift to the Data Science and AI Academy, which launched in 2021.

Our Partners

Data Explorers partners with The Science House at NC State, The Friday Institute within the NC State College of Education, the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP), the NC State College of Sciences, DataScience4Everyone and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. These collaborations allow us to develop and implement innovative data science curricula, offer professional development for K-12 educators and create engaging learning experiences for students. From hands-on workshops to real-world data projects and courses, our partnerships bring data science to life in the classroom.