Purpose and Play Used to Overcome Math Learning Obstacles, Promote Equity
(New York, NY - May 29, 2024) - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports data scientists earn
more than twice the national median and projects 35% job growth by 2032.
Graduates with strong data skills will have an advantage, not only in data science but in diverse fields such as agriculture and real estate that increasingly rely on data.
Making sure all students have access to data literacy education is imperative for an equitable future.
A 28-point difference between white and Black 4th-graders on the 2022 NAEP test,
indicates the opportunity gap starts early. Unfortunately,
resources for building data literacy in elementary schools are largely non-existent— until now. Tuva,
a leading K-12 data literacy company, just formally launched Tuva Jr., a supplemental instructional program designed to meet the pressing needs of elementary math education.
“Data literacy hasn’t been adequately addressed for our youngest learners,” said Tuva co-founder Harshil Parikh. “With Tuva Jr.,
we’re empowering elementary teachers to begin this imperative work earlier."
Major studies conclude that lack of purpose hinders STEM learning,
particularly for historically underrepresented students. Tuva Jr. lessons
are designed to help students see the practical applications of math and science. During each lesson, kids practice math with real-world data.
In one lesson, 2nd-graders create subtraction equations to compare NFL teams. In another, 4th-graders convert feet to inches as they explore data
about snowfall in different cities. In-context math learning is also shown to build deeper conceptual understanding.
A major obstacle for educators is overcoming students’ math anxiety.
Careful scaffolding of the data experience using
research into children’s data literacy development
gradually builds kids’ confidence and capabilities. Students begin by interacting with playing cards, sorting and ordering them through drag-and-drop.
In the next step, cards transform into playful icons in a dot plot, enabling students to observe collective dataset properties and create basic graphs.
"Tuva Jr. transforms our classroom into a vibrant hub of exploration,” said BJ Barrie, 5th-grade teacher and Tuva Jr. pilot participant.
“Students not only learn data analysis but also discover the power of curiosity and critical thinking."
Tuva Jr. also confronts another common obstacle: lack of time. The program is intentionally interdisciplinary,
so teachers can address fundamental math, science, and data literacy simultaneously.
Other time-saving features include step-by-step introductory activities and pre-made lessons.
Explore Tuva Jr. at https://tuvalabs.com/tuvajr/ or try our
Preparing for a Hurricane activity.
Teachers, schools, or districts interested in setting up a free trial of Tuva Jr. can email support@tuvalabs.com..
About Tuva:
Tuva’s next-generation data, graphing, and statistical tools and instructional program are bringing real-world, engaging math and science education
to teachers and students globally. With over 100 million datasets, graphs, and charts uploaded and created,
the Tuva tools have become the digital tool of choice for students to learn how to explore, visualize, and analyze data and learn
important data literacy skills. Over 5 million teachers and students use the Tuva Content Library and Instructional Program to bring authentic, powerful
learning to the classroom. To learn more visit tuvalabs.com