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Session 6 Study Guide: Working With Real Data

Data Science for Young Minds — Grade 3

Key Topics

TopicDetails
Where real data comes fromWhere real data comes from: government, science, sports, schools
Websites with free data for kidsWebsites with free data for kids
What real data looks likeWhat real data looks like: bigger, messier, and more interesting than textbook data
ActivityActivity: explore a real dataset and write 3 observations
Scanning headersScanning headers: what does each column represent?
Sorting dataSorting data: putting it in order to find highs and lows
FilteringFiltering: showing only the rows that match what you are looking for
Using Ctrl+F or search to find specific Using Ctrl+F or search to find specific entries
Turning curiosity into data questionsTurning curiosity into data questions
Finding answersFinding answers: which columns and calculations to use
When the data does not have the answer yWhen the data does not have the answer you need
ActivityActivity: ask and answer 5 questions about a real-world dataset
When data contradicts your expectationsWhen data contradicts your expectations
The importance of following evidence, noThe importance of following evidence, not assumptions
Missing data and what to do about itMissing data and what to do about it
Embracing surpriseEmbracing surprise: the best discoveries come from unexpected findings

Lesson Summaries

Lesson 1: Finding Real Data

Learn where real data lives and how to access it: weather records, sports stats, school data, and more.

Lesson 2: Navigating Big Tables

Real datasets have many rows and columns. Learn strategies for finding what you need without getting lost.

Lesson 3: Asking Questions of Real Data

Practice forming questions and finding answers in real datasets.

Lesson 4: When Real Data Surprises You

Real data often contradicts expectations. Learn to trust the data — even when it surprises you.

Review Questions

  1. Where can you find real data?
  2. How is real data different from textbook data?
  3. What should you do first when you get a real dataset?
  4. Why is working with real data important?
  5. How do you start reading a big data table?
  6. What does sorting data help you do?
  7. What is filtering?
  8. What if you feel overwhelmed by a big dataset?
  9. How do you ask a question of a dataset?
  10. What if the dataset does not answer your question?
  11. What types of questions work well with real data?
  12. How do you know if your answer is correct?
  13. What should you do when data contradicts what you expected?
  14. What is missing data?
  15. Why are surprises in data valuable?
  16. How should you report unexpected findings?