The AQI research team had a Spring 2024 Advisory Board meeting on May 10th. Led by Dr. Jessica Roberts, the team presented an overview of the AQI data literacy project, including updates on kiosk development and plans for an upcoming summer camp workshop with teachers.
The mission of our project revolves around three key objectives: promoting learning in informal environments, advancing informal STEM learning, and fostering equity, belonging, and broadening participation. Our efforts center on developing AQI kiosks to enhance public understanding of environmental data literacy and stimulate STEAM conversations. To guide our research, we’ve formulated three primary research questions:
- How can data interactions in informal settings prepare individuals for future learning about data interpretation and the environment?
- How can data interactions be designed to empower learners in conducting data investigations, visualizations, and communications?
- What design features facilitate data exploration and investigation for non-expert learners?
During the meeting, Yixuan, an HCC PhD student, provided an overview of the development and design iterations of our ContAQT platform from fall 2023 to spring 2024, raising pertinent questions for the team’s consideration.
Dr. Roberts shared details of the summer camp curriculum, timeline, and teacher recruitment efforts, seeking feedback on the effectiveness of our data visualization workshop for teachers and areas for improvement.
The advisors offered valuable insights and feedback. Regarding the kiosk display, one advisor suggested considering the age and demographics of the target audience, as well as the environmental context of the display location. For multicultural audiences, translation services and age-appropriate content were recommended. Additionally, it was advised to make the ContAQT platform more visually engaging and recognizable for public settings.
Regarding the summer camp, advisors cautioned against overwhelming teachers with entirely new software and recommended focusing on enhancing their understanding of data visualization and literacy. Suggestions were also made to incorporate lessons on data accuracy and the nuances of AQI sensor readings, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and community engagement.
Overall, the advisory meeting provided valuable input for refining our project’s objectives and strategies. Moving forward, we will incorporate these insights to better serve our mission of promoting data literacy in informal settings and empowering learners of all backgrounds.