Session 7 Family Guide

Data Science for Young Minds — Tips for families facilitating Session 7: When Data Tricks You

Overview

Misleading graphs, small samples, and biased questions. Learn to be a data detective who spots what is wrong.

Facilitating Each Lesson

Lesson 1: Misleading Graphs

Tip: Learn to spot graphs that look convincing but actually distort the truth. Take time to let your child explore and share their thoughts.

Try asking: "What do you think about truncated y-axis: starting the scale at a number other than zero?"

Lesson 2: The Problem With Small Samples

Tip: Learn why asking just a few people can give completely wrong results. Take time to let your child explore and share their thoughts.

Try asking: "What do you think about why 3 people is not enough to make conclusions about 300?"

Lesson 3: Biased Data

Tip: Explore how the way data is collected can build in unfairness from the start. Take time to let your child explore and share their thoughts.

Try asking: "What do you think about what bias means: a built-in unfairness that skews results?"

Lesson 4: Be a Data Detective

Tip: Put your critical thinking skills together. Evaluate real-world data claims like a detective. Take time to let your child explore and share their thoughts.

Try asking: "What do you think about questions every data detective asks: who collected this? why? how? how many??"

Conversation Starters

"What did you learn about truncated y-axis: starting the scale at a number other than zero?"
"What did you learn about why 3 people is not enough to make conclusions about 300?"
"What did you learn about what bias means: a built-in unfairness that skews results?"
"What did you learn about questions every data detective asks: who collected this? why? how? how many??"