From elementary classrooms to university campuses and beyond, curious minds are learning the importance of data. With help from SAS, lifelong learners of every age are turning to data to understand complex problems and answer difficult questions. Whether curing disease, surveying opinions or exploring space, data and analytics are at the heart of what will move us forward as a society.
Today, new information is increasingly generated and communicated in numbers, charts and graphs. Data literacy is emerging as an essential skill for everyone who wants to understand our data-rich world and make it a better place.
So what is data literacy? It’s the ability to consume, interpret and understand data to better make sense of everything around us. It’s not just looking at numbers in a spreadsheet. It’s being able to face a tidal wave of data knowing you have the skills and tools to navigate it and make decisions with confidence.
For decades, SAS has helped students build skills to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Our data literacy initiatives challenge students to explore solutions to the world’s problems, tapping into their passion and energy while instilling in them a deeper understanding of data.
DR. JIM GOODNIGHT
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, SAS
RESOURCES
At the core of data literacy are foundational skills we can put into action to navigate our daily lives and foster change in our community. No matter where you are on your data literacy journey, SAS creates free tools and resources, alongside our education partners, to help you find your way.
The following resources can help students build foundational data literacy skills at home or in the classroom.
SAS® DATAFLY
Engage students with data through quick polls that generate real-time interactive data visualizations. Designed with education in mind, DataFly offers tools and support for teachers to guide discussion and inspire students’ interest and learning.
SAS® CODESNAPS
DOWNLOAD APP
Get hands-on with this collaborative coding environment requiring only one robot and one iPad. Students write programs using the app or printed coding blocks. Supported robots include Sphero, SPRK, SPRK+, Ollie and Sphero Mini.
SAS® MATH STRETCH
DOWNLOAD APP
Develop and practice elementary math skills and number sense across a variety of activities with this engaging app. Adjust difficulty levels to reinforce learning or to challenge and progress. Send results to teachers and parents.
DATA LITERACY TRAINING
Two free courses, drawing on real-world applications, deliver a clear understanding of data literacy and practical ways to engage with data every day. Whether you’re an advanced high school student, K-12 educator, postsecondary student or educator, or independent learner hoping to reskill or upskill, these courses are for you.
INSPIRING CHANGE, DRIVEN BY DATA
With data and analytics, we can see the world through a powerful lens. Whether in service to our community, interpreting the news or championing the UN’s Global Goals, when we understand data, an entirely new world opens to us.
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS DO GOOD WITH DATA
Students at Washington Elementary School apply their data literacy skills to do good in their community. Watch how they used data to put a strategic spin on the traditional book drive.
Data drives help students reconsider ways their school engages with the community. As they ask questions, collect data and interpret the responses, students begin to think critically and see the power of data.
GATHERIQ™
Data and analytics are more than science and math – they are tools to help us find solutions anywhere. Explore the world’s biggest challenges through the lens of data and gain a deeper understanding of the UN’s 17 Global Goals for 2030. Interact with data stories and learn through videos, quizzes and polls in this free app. Be inspired by the stories of people creating real change where it’s needed most.
MAKING SENSE OF DATA IN THE MEDIA
Understanding and thinking critically about the data we see daily in the media is essential to make informed decisions about the world around us. We’ve partnered with the News Literacy Project to tackle this important issue.
CURIOSITY
Explore stories celebrating the people, data and ideas that move the world forward. This online, interactive magazine – with content for all audiences – takes a look at the curious minds using analytics to lift up people and the planet.
EDUCATION PARTNERS
Helping students thrive in a world of data would not be possible without the participation of like-minded organizations equally focused on building skills in data literacy, coding and AI. Through our partnerships, students benefit from a wealth of knowledge and possibilities.
