STEMworks

Power of Data Project

Impact

To date, the Power of Data (POD) has reached an estimated 15,130 educators and learners across 31 states. Participating educators increased their technological and pedagogical knowledge and skills and confidence teaching with Geospatial Inquiry. Teachers implemented lessons which provided students opportunities to engage in the analysis and interpretation of data for the purpose of explaining a phenomenon, answering a question, or solving a problem. Pedagogical practices persisted one to two years after the program ended. Implementation of high-quality Geospatial Inquiry lessons have the potential to broaden participation in STEM. On average, 40% of students indicated increased interest in STEM and STEM careers. Geospatial Inquiry lessons had a significant impact on students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. Students who identified as female and students who identified as Black reported higher engagement in science and higher interest in science careers. Students who identified as Hispanic reported higher engagement in science and technology.

  • Target Audience
    • Teachers/Educational Leaders
  • Program Type
    • Teacher Development/Training
    • Hands-on/Project-Based
  • Location
    • Nationwide
  • Grade Level
    • 6
    • 7
    • 8
    • 9
    • 10
    • 11
    • 12

Contact

Lori Rubino-Hare
Research Associate/Professional Development Coordinator

Email ProgramLaunch Website

Accomplished Program has been evaluated and meets the Design Principles for quality.

  • Need Accomplished
  • Evaluation Accomplished
  • Sustainability Accomplished
  • Replication & Scalability Developing
  • Partnerships Accomplished
  • Capacity Accomplished
  • Challenging & Relevant Content Accomplished
  • STEM Practices Accomplished
  • Inspiration Accomplished
  • Under-Represented Groups Developing

See full results

Geospatial Inquiry is an amazing tool to help our scholars not only be able to articulate their knowledge but to add visual layers that will increase their knowledge of subject matters of interest in cross disciplinary areas of study. Our students will be so much better prepared to enter the workplace.

Design Principles

The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy. Programs must be Accomplished (accomplished) across all Design Principles, or be Developing (developing) in a maximum of three areas.

Overarching Principles

  • Need Accomplished

    Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.

  • Evaluation Accomplished

    Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.

  • Sustainability Accomplished

    Ensure work is sustainable.

  • Replication & Scalability Developing

    Demonstrate replicability and scalability.

  • Partnerships Accomplished

    Create high impact partnerships.

  • Capacity Accomplished

    Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.

STEM Principles

  • Challenging & Relevant Content Accomplished

    Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience.

  • STEM Practices Accomplished

    Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.

  • Inspiration Accomplished

    Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.

  • Under-Represented Groups Developing

    Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.

Program Overview

The Power of Data (POD) is a highly effective professional learning program that has been refined by research over 12 years. Focused on the intersection of science and geography, POD helps educators build the skills necessary to design learning activities using an instructional framework called Geospatial Inquiry. Geospatial Inquiry guides learners to use an online GIS to analyze patterns and relationships in data to explain natural phenomena and to communicate using maps and visualizations of data as evidence to support arguments. Participants learn through Geospatial Inquiry before they consider teaching with Geospatial Inquiry. This enables them to appreciate the learner experience and to anticipate potential barriers and solutions in preparation for designing lessons. To increase student awareness and interest in STEM careers, participants explore Career Spotlights that introduce a diverse group of GIS professionals who engage in Geospatial Inquiry across a wide array of careers and plan ways they might use the stories to inspire their students.

Funders and Partners

National Science Foundation, Science Foundation Arizona/Arizona Board of Education, National Geographic Society, Esri, GIS ETC