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Q&A: EVERFI
Why data science should be taught in all UK secondary schools
I
n our second Q&A this month we’re delighted to hear from JEMMA BEST,
Account Director & Deputy Head of Programme Development at EVERFI UK, an international technology company driving social impact through education to address the most challenging issues affecting society including financial wellness, mental health, STEM careers, and a whole host of other critical topics. Jemma delves into the wonderful world of data and tells us why educators across the country should get their students thinking about data science.
Can you tell us about EVERFI? EVERFI is an international technology company driving social impact through education. Our learning content addresses the most challenging issues affecting society, including financial wellness, mental health, STEM careers and a whole host of other critical topics. We support teachers and schools to bring real-world skills to young people. Thanks to our partners, we provide our digital
platform free to schools. The platform offers self- paced online lessons with built-in assessments. We use characters and stories to engage young people and deliver learning, and interactive, game-based activities to support them in applying their new knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios. All our content is developed with subject
matter experts and teachers to ensure that it is effective, and links to the curriculum and other school priorities to really meet the needs of teachers and learners.
What motivated you to create a data science course? The world is increasingly tech-driven, with huge advancements in areas such as electric and smart cars and cloud computing, and our growing reliance on mobile devices in day-to-day life. Companies of all sizes, from global businesses to
start-up organisations, increasingly rely on data in their day-to-day decision making – in fact, at EVERFI, data is crucial to our own business, and important in schools. According to a government survey, the
demand for people with data science skills has more than tripled over the past five years; yet research shows that 45% of students do not feel that they would be confident or well-equipped to pursue a career in this area. At EVERFI, we are passionate about broadening
young people’s horizons and empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to build a better future, both for themselves and more broadly. We know that by giving them an insight into STEM careers early, they are more likely to be open to pursuing a future in that area. We believe that now - more than ever - the
time is right to inspire young people to explore a growth area that seems certain to continue to play a pivotal role in building the future.
What will students be able to take away when completing the course? Our Data Science Foundations course uses gamification and storytelling methods to create an immersive experience for young people that challenges their expectations of what a career in data science might look like. The course arms young people with basic knowledge of a subject area that will affect their lives regardless of their chosen career path. Students work through four short online
modules, discovering how we can collect, analyse and use data to help make informed decisions. The course includes opportunities for students to apply their mathematical knowledge and skills in an engaging real-life context.
How can this be incorporated into the school day? Data Science Foundations can be incorporated into Maths, Computing, Science, PSHE and Careers lessons, or set as home learning. The four
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www.education-today.co.uk March 2022
20-minute modules can stand alone, or each be used as part of an approximately one-hour lesson - all slides and teachers’ notes are provided. The course gives teachers everything they need to shine new light on the power of data and prepare students for the ever more data-focused working world.
How have teachers reacted to Data Science Foundations? Teachers have responded positively to a free course in a growth area of employment that is unfamiliar to many adults. They report that students enjoy the story-led learning, and that they appreciate the flexibility built into the course.
What do teachers need to do to sign up? Signing up to the EVERFI platform couldn’t be easier. All teachers need to do is head to
www.everfiteachers.co.uk and register their details. The platform is totally free of charge and schools will never pay for Data Science Foundations or any EVERFI course thanks to the support of our partners.
Where can we find out more about EVERFI? Visit
www.everfiteachers.co.uk, or join us at BETT on Friday 25 March, where we are excited to introduce Data Science Foundations to teachers and senior leaders.
uwww.everfiteachers.co.uk
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