ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Big Data for Little Kids program at the New York Hall of Science. In this family-focused workshop, young children and their caregivers learn together about data science by engaging in hands-on exploration and data-driven investigations and designing their own museum exhibits. The chapter summarizes the research base that informed the development of the program and gives an overview of the program’s context, content, and structure. It discusses the importance of fostering caregivers’ agency and inviting caregivers to be active participants in learner-centered education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Using examples and feedback from participating families, the chapter shares lessons learned about data modeling and ways to engage and support families from diverse cultures and linguistic backgrounds that are underserved in STEM fields. Finally, the chapter reviews the challenges and implications for future work.
