IGNITE Data Science Workshop with Afiniti at DC Public Schools Middle School Career Technical Education Expo

On December 18, 2024, Afiniti hosted an IGNITE Workshop on Data Science as an Art during the DC Public Schools Middle School Career Technical Education Expo. This creative Workshop introduced 42 middle school students to foundational concepts in data analysis through a unique and interactive activity called “Know My Friends.” The event was conducted in two breakout sessions, each led by a talented team of Afiniti professionals, including Azka Hafeez, Iqra Rana, Abaq Asif, and Aminah Shorish.

Students explored the five key steps of data analysis—collecting, cleaning, structuring, visualizing, and drawing insights—through the lens of their friendships. Armed with worksheets, they recorded attributes for their friends, including years of friendship, mutual friends, closeness on a scale, and a friendship color. These attributes were then visualized as flowers, where each data point corresponded to a flower feature: petals represented years of friendship, stem length reflected closeness, leaves depicted mutual friends, and the flower’s color mirrored the friendship color.

This innovative approach transformed the abstract world of data into something tangible and fun, making it easier for students to grasp the importance of structured analysis. The activity fostered lively discussions as students shared insights and debated how to interpret their findings. Instead of traditional graphs, their creativity bloomed into unique flower designs, leaving a lasting impression.

Special thanks to Sheena Griffin, Career Education Manager at DC Public Schools, for her support in making this event possible. The workshop showcased the power of imagination in STEM education, inspiring students to see data science as a field of limitless possibilities.

Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:

  • Azka Hafeez
  • Iqra Rana
  • Abaq Asif

 

  • Aminah Shorish
  • Sheena Griffin

About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at igniteworldwide.org.

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