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Organizing Committee
Occidental College
University of South Alabama
Sonoma State University
Bates College
Bridgewater State University
Abstract
This workshop is designed to highlight the intersections between data science and social justice in K-16 education. The goals of this workshop are to 1) explore, and identify avenues to expand, current research on and methods for using data science in education; 2) raise awareness about research on issues of social justice in education and teaching pedagogy; and 3) work with community partners to create, evaluate and disseminate new K-16 curricular materials.
The week will focus on integrating computational social justice research methods, open problems, and best practices across different levels of training. Participants will collaborate on curating professional artifacts, such as: articulating collections of open problems in data science research in social justice; compiling a collection of computational social justice research projects; and developing course modules suitable for use in K-16 education. The results of these collaborations will be shared publicly by the organizers and participants to achieve the broadest impact.
While the workshop will be open to and beneficial for all researchers and educators who teach computationally focused courses, priority will be given to early-career faculty and advanced graduate students.
The week will focus on integrating computational social justice research methods, open problems, and best practices across different levels of training. Participants will collaborate on curating professional artifacts, such as: articulating collections of open problems in data science research in social justice; compiling a collection of computational social justice research projects; and developing course modules suitable for use in K-16 education. The results of these collaborations will be shared publicly by the organizers and participants to achieve the broadest impact.
While the workshop will be open to and beneficial for all researchers and educators who teach computationally focused courses, priority will be given to early-career faculty and advanced graduate students.
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Workshop Schedule
Monday, July 17, 2023
9:00 - 9:10 AM EDT
Welcome
11th Floor Lecture Hall
Brendan Hassett, ICERM/Brown University
9:15 - 10:00 AM EDT
Data Skills and Justice in the Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum
11th Floor Lecture Hall
Speaker
Chad Topaz, Institute for the Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
Session Chair
Ron Buckmire, Occidental College
Abstract
While the importance of data science training has been highlighted by stakeholders across the mathematical sciences, the fusion of data skills with core parts of the curriculum has yet to be fully realized. In parallel to this challenge, the mathematical sciences are struggling with issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This talk presents pathways for incorporating data skills into undergraduate mathematics education in ways that support social justice. One pathway is through the classroom. I will present selected examples of course activities such as creation of computational art designed to celebrate artists from marginalized identity groups. A second pathway is through undergraduate research. I will showcase data-intensive student projects related to criminal justice. Finally, I will highlight resources for instructors who themselves want to grow their data skills and/or their understanding of social justice.
10:15 - 10:30 AM EDT
Coffee Break
11th Floor Collaborative Space
10:30 - 11:15 AM EDT
The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World
11th Floor Lecture Hall
Virtual Speaker
Jevin West, Center for an Informed Public Information School, University of Washington
Session Chair
Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
Abstract
Today’s world is more thoroughly quantified than ever before. We are awash in numbers, statistics, and data-hungry algorithms. Quantitative information is power: it is used to convey objectivity, to strengthen arguments, and to inform decisions—and all too often it is used by humans and human-like chatbots to impress, overwhelm, and persuade without any conviction to truth. Fortunately, one doesn’t need an advanced degree in data science (although quite helpful) to see through the vast majority of quantitative misinformation. Drawing on examples from current events of misleading claims and misuses of artificial intelligence, this talk aims to empower data scientists and the everyday information consumer to push back when confronted by numerical arguments and data-hungry technologies. By focusing attention on the data sources and their weaknesses, rather than on the complex and often obscure algorithms and statistical procedures, we can see through the hype and hold our own against those selling quantitative snake-oil.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Project Introductions
Program Overview - Virtual
Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
12:30 - 2:30 PM EDT
Networking Lunch
Lunch/Free Time - 11th Floor Collaborative Space
2:30 - 3:15 PM EDT
Data Science for Social Justice – A Tool for Broadening Participation on Dual Fronts
11th Floor Lecture Hall
Speaker
R. Uma, NC Central University
Session Chair
Katharine Ott, Bates College
Abstract
We use “Data Science for Social Justice” as a tool to broaden the participation of students from historically marginalized communities (HMC) in STEM by infusing social justice into STEM learning as well as to broaden the participation of students from non-STEM disciplines (where underrepresentation is not as big a problem) in data science by infusing data science into discussions on social justice issues relevant to their respective disciplines. In this talk I will discuss our methodology and experiences with past and on-going projects.
This is joint work with faculty and researchers from NC Central University (Alade Tokuta, and Rakesh Malhotra), Cynosure Consulting (Rebecca Zulli Lowe, and Adrienne Smith), Fayetteville State University (Sambit Bhattacharya), Winston-Salem State University (Debzani Deb), and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Elisabeth Stoddard, and Marja Bakermans).
This is joint work with faculty and researchers from NC Central University (Alade Tokuta, and Rakesh Malhotra), Cynosure Consulting (Rebecca Zulli Lowe, and Adrienne Smith), Fayetteville State University (Sambit Bhattacharya), Winston-Salem State University (Debzani Deb), and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Elisabeth Stoddard, and Marja Bakermans).
3:30 - 4:00 PM EDT
Yellow Pig Day Break
Coffee Break - 11th Floor Collaborative Space
4:00 - 4:45 PM EDT
Data, Justice, and K-16 Ed.
11th Floor Lecture Hall
Speaker
Wynter Duncanson, MathWorks
Speaker
Wesley Hamilton, MathWorks
Session Chair
Katharine Ott, Bates College
Abstract
In this presentation, the authors will talk about some of their strategies and approaches to incorporating justice-related themes in data science and math modeling education at the middle school, high school, and undergraduate (school) level. These include: developing extracurricular data science activities centering on climate change; developing community partnerships and involvement; engaging students through math modeling competitions; and hosting datathons centered on justice and activism.
5:00 - 6:30 PM EDT
Reception
11th Floor Collaborative Space
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
9:15 - 10:00 AM EDT
Histories of African Americans Connecting Mathematics and Society
11th Floor Lecture Hall
Speaker
Nathan Alexander, Morehouse College
Session Chair
Omayra Ortega, Sonoma State University
Abstract
The world often looks to philosophy and the social sciences as opposed to the mathematical sciences to discuss and explore topics related to equity, collective action, and justice. Since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, African American scholars have taken social theories, which are strong in intuitive content, and expressed them in more formal terms using mathematics and data. Despite recent advances in discourses at the intersections of mathematics and social justice, the narratives and legacies of many of these African Americans who used mathematics and real-world data to understand society, especially in the American South, have been lost. This talk will explore the foundations of models used by African Americans to examine inequities in history with the intention of developing more just futures. More specifically, this talk will connect the intuitive aspects of a global experience to understand the means through which mathematics served as an integral tool for African Americans to not only speak to their experiences but also to the logic of democracy, race, and racism.
10:15 - 10:30 AM EDT
Coffee Break
11th Floor Collaborative Space
