The Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy.
Dr. Chris Crawford, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, was awarded a grant from the United States National Science Foundation to support the design and development of an educational platform that introduces high school students to data science through interactive cyber-physical human systems.
Titled Sensing for Data Science, the project aims to transform how data science is taught by engaging students in hands-on learning experiences connected to real-world situations. Funded through NSF’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers program, the interdisciplinary initiative will be implemented in Alabama high schools. The $1.2 million grant will sponsor the creation of the open-source SenseDS platform and its accompanying curricula.
SenseDS identifies patterns and simplifies concepts to aid student comprehension. The web-based, interactive machine learning platform and hybrid curriculum will be suited to students from any academic background and will encourage students to experiment with cyber-physical human systems.
“Using this platform and associated curricular materials, students will flexibly experience the entire data lifecycle and observe the impact of their design choices on the real-world behavior of actual systems,” Crawford said. “This approach aims to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, showing students how data science relates to everyday life and opening doors to future careers in artificial intelligence, data science and related technologies.”
New data science advancements have the potential to transform health, transportation, security and other aspects of daily life. As innovations are integrated into the field, the need for students to comprehend data science becomes more imperative.
“A key outcome will be the development and dissemination of the open-source SenseDS platform and relating curricula, which will contribute to the research and understanding of how new cyber-physical human systems technologies can enhance experiential data science education,” Crawford said.
SenseDS uses gesture-driven radio frequency sensors and allows students to interact with virtual games and robots as they build skills in sensing, machine learning and control technology.
The NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers program is an applied research and development program aimed at building a diverse STEM and information and communication technologies workforce prepared to meet pressing local, societal and global challenges.