Empowering Elementary Students with Data Science

As data increasingly informs decisions in health, education, and public policy, there is a growing need to introduce data literacy and equity-focused thinking in elementary education. This article presents a three-part ­curriculum designed to engage K–5 students in foundational data science concepts through real-world explorations of health equity. The lessons guide students in using thematic maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine the distribution of community resources, identify food deserts, and investigate how access to health-promoting infrastructure varies across neighborhoods. By connecting personal experiences to geographic data, students learn to recognize patterns, interpret disparities, and make evidence-based ­decisions. The curriculum supports key practices in data science and literacy, such as visualization, spatial reasoning, data-driven decision-making, and critical interpretation, while also advancing STEM goals around problem-solving and social awareness. We share concrete examples from both virtual and in-person implementation, offering practical insights for adaptation. This work underscores how early exposure to data science can empower students as critical thinkers and informed decision-makers and provides a model for ­integrating data-driven inquiry into elementary classrooms.