Intro to Data Analysis
About this free Intro to Data Analysis course
Intro to Data Analysis is a free data literacy course that teaches students to collect, organize, visualize, and make sense of data. Each lesson starts with a clear learning objective and uses everyday examples, such as weather forecasts, class polls, and favorite-fruit surveys, to show how data shows up all around us.
Students learn to distinguish categorical and numerical data, write good surveys, spot and fix errors, and communicate insights with bar charts, pictographs, pie charts, line graphs, and custom infographics. The course also builds analytical thinking: breaking down complex problems, applying logical reasoning, and connecting math to real-world situations. Students finish by planning their own data project and presenting it like a data scientist.
Who this course is for
The course is designed for students in grades 4 through 7 and requires no prior experience. It's a great fit for math classes, STEM clubs, and summer programs, and a foundation for Intro to Statistics later on.
Course outline
- Unit 1: What is data? Where we use data, categorical vs. numerical data, and their subtypes.
- Unit 2: Collecting and cleaning data. Writing good survey questions, collecting responses, and finding and fixing mistakes in a dataset.
- Unit 3: Visualizing data. Bar graphs, pictographs, pie charts, line graphs, and designing your own infographic.
- Unit 4: Analyzing data. Mean, median, and mode, reading graphs for patterns, and asking good questions about data.
- Unit 5: Your data story. Planning a data project and presenting findings like a data scientist.
What you'll learn
- Classify data as categorical or numerical
- Design a survey question and collect clean data
- Choose and create the right graph for a dataset
- Find the mean, median, and mode and explain what they show
- Tell a clear story with data in a short presentation
How long it takes
Plan on about 8 hours, or one class period per lesson. The final data project can be extended as long as you like.
Frequently asked questions about Intro to Data Analysis
Is Intro to Data Analysis really free?
Yes. Intro to Data Analysis is completely free, with no fees, subscriptions, or account required. STEM for Others is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every course in our curriculum library is free for students, families, and teachers.
Why should kids learn data analysis?
Data is everywhere, from sports stats to news headlines to video game leaderboards. Learning to read graphs, spot misleading charts, and back up claims with evidence builds critical thinking that helps in every subject and future career.
How do I start the course?
Click Begin Course at the top of this page to open the full slide deck in a new tab. You can also flip through the slides embedded above. Work through one unit at a time and try the practice questions before moving on.
Do I get a certificate?
The self-paced Intro to Data Analysis materials don't include an official certificate. If you're taking the course through a STEM for Others chapter program, ask your chapter leader about recognizing your completion.
Can teachers and clubs use this curriculum?
Yes. Teachers, homeschool families, libraries, and after-school clubs are welcome to use the Intro to Data Analysis materials with their students at no cost. STEM for Others volunteers also teach our curriculum in partner schools and libraries. You can find a chapter near you or start one at your school.
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