#1252: Trend Trackers: Building Data Literacy Through Problem-Based Learning

In this demo, we discuss the co-design of an interactive, problem-based science supplement called Trend Trackers. Trend Trackers aims to engage middle school students with socioscientific issues that impact cities and communities all over the world. Students take up the role of a data scientist to address public health problems within the fictional city of Springfield. In this demo, we will explore a challenge in which students are asked to design a vaccination plan to reduce the rates of flu in Springfield. Students engage in interactive and immersive activities to collect wastewater samples, measure rates of flu in the community, and generate evidence through a series of wrangling, visualization, and analysis activities. Students then share their findings and collaborate with their team to co-construct a vaccination plan for Springfield.