Data Science Education
Open curricula, lesson plans, datasets, and instructor resources for teaching data analytics and data literacy — from high school classrooms to university courses.
Democratizing Data Literacy
The Callais Institute believes that data literacy is a civic skill — as fundamental as reading and writing for participation in 21st-century society. That's why we invest in open educational resources that any instructor, at any level, can use without cost.
Our Data Science Education initiative develops and distributes curricula, datasets, project templates, and pedagogical frameworks for teaching analytics. Resources are designed for high school teachers, community college instructors, and university faculty.
We curate the best free, open educational resources available — from university labs, nonprofits, and open-source projects — so any instructor can teach data science without cost.
Our Approach
Free, Open Resources for Every Classroom
Resource Library
A curated collection of free, high-quality resources from trusted organizations across the web — hand-picked by our team to support data education at every level, from middle school to university.
Data Literacy Fundamentals: 10-Week Unit
A 10-week, standards-aligned curriculum introducing data collection, cleaning, visualization, and interpretation for high school students. No prior coding required. Includes assessments.
Intro to Python for Business Analytics
An interactive, self-paced course covering Python fundamentals, pandas, and matplotlib — with hands-on coding exercises and certification projects, completely free through freeCodeCamp.
Teaching Data Ethics: Case Study Collection
A growing library of classroom-ready case studies on AI ethics, privacy, and responsible technology — drawn from real-world dilemmas in emerging tech, from AI chatbots to biometric data collection.
Teaching Datasets: Classroom-Ready Collection
A curated, browsable collection of pre-cleaned datasets sized for classroom use — covering economics, sports, environment, health, and social issues. Pick what fits your lesson.
SQL for Business Analysts: Complete Module
A comprehensive, hands-on SQL tutorial covering filtering, sorting, grouping, and aggregation — built for aspiring analysts with little to no coding experience.
What Is Data? An Introduction for Middle Schoolers
A 4-week unit for grades 6–8 introducing data concepts through storytelling, hands-on collection activities, and visual analysis — no technology required for the first two weeks.
Bringing Analytics into Schools
The Institute partners directly with New Orleans and Louisiana K–12 schools to bring data literacy programming into classrooms. Our K–12 education team provides professional development workshops for teachers, guest classroom visits, and structured curriculum support.
We prioritize schools in historically underserved communities, with particular focus on Title I schools in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.
- ✓ Teacher PD workshops (full-day and half-day formats)
- ✓ LOYNO student guest instructors for classroom visits
- ✓ Curriculum co-design with your school's CS or math department
- ✓ Free access to all Callais Institute educational materials
- ✓ Pipeline to the AAI4HC summer program for top students
Active curriculum partnerships with schools across Orleans and Jefferson parishes
Professional development workshops reaching educators across Louisiana
K–12 partnerships create a pathway to the BUAN major and AAI4HC program
Pedagogical Research
We don't just teach analytics — we research how to teach it better.
Advising Student-Driven Analytics Projects: A Summary of Experiences and Lessons Learned
Babier, A., Fernandes, C., Zhu, I.Y. · INFORMS Transactions on Education · 2023
Analyzes 58 undergraduate analytics capstone projects and 106 student surveys to identify common obstacles in student-driven machine learning, optimization, and simulation projects, and how faculty advising resolved them.
Read Abstract (opens in new tab)Reframing Data Ethics in Research Methods Education: A Pathway to Critical Data Literacy
Atenas, J., Havemann, L., Timmermann, C. · Int'l Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education · 2023
Synthesizes a review of 250 research methods syllabi, 80 data science programs, and 12 data ethics frameworks to propose an ethics framework that goes beyond informed consent to address power structures and protection of vulnerable populations.
Read Abstract (opens in new tab)Beyond the Numbers: K–12 Teachers' Experiences, Beliefs, and Challenges in Developing Data Literacy
Khor, E.T., Chee, A., Lee, S.S. · Education Sciences · 2025
A qualitative study of how K–12 teachers perceive and use data literacy in daily practice, identifying barriers including time constraints, limited confidence, and insufficient professional support.
Read Abstract (opens in new tab)Use Our Resources in Your Classroom
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