What kind of community partners did students work with in the data activism program?

Students collaborated with organizations such as Food Link (food redistribution for the needy), the Charles River Watershed Association (environmental injustice), and Habitat for Humanity (housing injustice).

How did working with community partners impact students' sense of agency?

16 out of 17 students reported that working with community partners was the most pivotal aspect, helping them realize they could make a difference. They felt empowered by their experiential knowledge and realized they weren't alone in their concerns.

What are 'data drawings' and why are they important?

Data drawings are a method used in the program that allows students who might not be as confident in coding skills to express their understanding and support for their community through art, making data activism accessible to a wider range of skills.

What is 'desire-based research' and how was it applied?

Desire-based research focuses on the positive aspects, hopes, and dreams within communities, rather than solely on negative issues. Students naturally incorporated this by focusing on positive community aspects in their projects, even without knowing the term.

How does the program integrate 'hot topics' or sensitive issues with coding?

The program intersperses coding lessons with discussions on critical issues like African-American history and systemic oppression. They also prioritize discussing how these topics make students feel mentally and emotionally, offering coping strategies.

What are future plans for making this data activism curriculum more accessible?

The goal is to expand the curriculum through teacher professional development, partnering with organizations like MIT Future Makers and Aella, and making it available for use in various programs like summer schools and Title One initiatives.

How is AI being integrated into the data activism curriculum?

Students are introduced to AI tools like Google's Teachable Machine, and there's a growing interest in integrating topics like AI bias and linear regression into the data science curriculum due to student engagement.

MIT AI + Education Summit 2024: Raechel Walker, Research Assistant, MIT RAISE

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education4 min read33 min video

Aug 6, 2024|247 views|7

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Key Moments

TL;DR

MIT's Raechel Walker discusses data activism for marginalized students, empowering them with AI and data science skills.

Key Insights

Liberatory computing and data activism empower minoritized students to transform society.

A 10-week program taught high school students Python, data analysis, African-American history, AI, and bias.

Students collaborated with community partners on real-world issues like housing and environmental injustice.

Critical participatory action research (CPAR) ensures marginalized voices lead project development.

The program significantly increased students' confidence in using data science to combat racism.

Experiential knowledge of students is key to validating and interpreting data, validating them as experts.

FOUNDATIONS IN LIBERATORY COMPUTING

Raechel Walker's research is rooted in the concept of 'liberation tools,' coined by Dr. Leah Galamine, which aims to equip minoritized students, particularly African Americans, with the skills to not only secure employment but to actively transform society. Walker's own background, spanning data science, social justice, and the arts, informs her interdisciplinary approach to merging technical skills with social impact. This philosophy guides the program's goal: to build confidence in students' racial identity while fostering a deep understanding of historical context within data to drive societal change.

A COMPREHENSIVE DATA ACTIVISM CURRICULUM

The presented research involved a 10-week, 55-hour program for 24 high school students from the Greater Boston area, many of whom were new to data science. The curriculum covered essential tools like Python and pandas, alongside critical subjects such as African-American history, artificial intelligence, and data bias. A significant portion of the program, from week six to week ten, focused on practical application through collaboration with community organizations, enabling students to apply their newly acquired knowledge to address tangible societal issues.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND CRITICAL PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH

Students partnered with three Boston-based organizations: Food Link (addressing food insecurity), the Charles River Watershed Association (tackling environmental injustice), and Habitat for Humanity (focusing on housing injustice). This collaboration was guided by principles of Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR), a methodology where those most affected by oppression lead the research. This approach ensured that student projects were community-driven, making decisions collaboratively and prioritizing community input, which proved to be the most engaging aspect for the students.

STUDENT OUTCOMES AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH DATA

The program yielded impressive results, with students producing over 40 data visualizations, 21 maps, 25 pages of research reports, and numerous 'data drawings' and website projects. Pre- and post-program surveys showed a dramatic increase in students' self-reported ability to use data science to combat racism, rising from 5.9% to 72%. Furthermore, 76.5% of students agreed they could use their learning to combat racism, indicating a significant shift in empowerment and agency.

VALIDATING EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOSTERING BELONGING

A key finding was the validation of students' 'experiential knowledge.' Students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, felt empowered by their ability to verify and interpret data related to their communities, demonstrating they were the true experts. The program also fostered a strong sense of belonging; students reported feeling less isolated than in typical STEM classes where they are often the only ones who look like them. This inclusive environment was crucial for their engagement and confidence in pursuing data science.

ADDRESSING INJUSTICES THROUGH DATA VISUALIZATIONS AND STORYTELLING

Specific projects included Habitat for Humanity students creating ArcGIS maps highlighting racial disparities in access to community assets and zines showcasing community pride. Food Link students explored the overlap between redlining and food insecurity, visualizing it through maps and tote bags. Charles River Watershed Association students developed geospatial maps to show flood risks in Dorchester, a low-income, predominantly African-American neighborhood, using stickers to raise awareness. These projects demonstrate how data can be used to illuminate and address systemic inequalities.

PROGRAM EXPANSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The success of the program has led to its expansion, with plans to increase instructional time and develop teacher professional development materials to make it accessible nationwide, particularly in rural areas. Current virtual and in-person programs involve collaborations with organizations like AFR Pink (breast cancer awareness), the Vera Institute of Justice (ending mass incarceration), and the Algorithmic Justice League (AI and school surveillance). Future research will explore qualitative methods to understand students' identities, their connection to data activism, and the integration of aspects like faith and mental wellness.

INTEGRATING AI AND DESIRE-BASED RESEARCH

Walker is keen on integrating AI explorations, noting students' excitement about AI bias discussions. The curriculum is also moving towards teaching concepts like linear regression. Furthermore, the concept of 'desire-based research' is being emphasized, focusing on the positive aspects, hopes, and dreams of oppressed communities rather than solely on their struggles. This approach ensures that research reflects the full humanity and aspirations of the communities it serves, aligning perfectly with the program's liberatory goals.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Data Activism Program Dos and Don'ts for Youth

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Build relationships with community partners.

Create critical research questions focused on mitigating systemic oppression.

Incorporate diverse methodological choices (interviews, surveys, focus groups).

Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data.

Produce and share research with the community.

Leverage experiential knowledge and community context.

Focus on positive aspects and hopes for the community (desire-based research).

Avoid This

Make decisions without community input.

Solely focus on the negative aspects of historically oppressed communities.

Assume expertise without validating with community knowledge.

Allow coding to dominate the learning experience without interspersed discussions.

Exclude discussions on historical context and systemic issues.

Neglect the emotional and mental well-being of students when discussing 'hot topics'.

Impact of Data Activism Program on Student Perceptions

Data extracted from this episode

Statement	Agreement % (Before Program)	Agreement % (After Program)
I know how to use data science to combat racism	5.9%	72%
Use academic success to combat racism	41.2%	76.5%

Common Questions

Liberatory computing, as discussed, aims to empower minoritized students, particularly African-American students, to understand how their education and computing skills can be used not just for personal gain but for societal transformation, fostering confidence and historical context.

Topics

Data Activism Liberatory Computing Critical Participatory Action Research Community Engagement Racial Disparities Environmental Justice Housing Injustice

Mentioned in this video

organizationAella

An organization based out of the University of Washington that uses and shares Rachel Walker's curriculum.

organizationFood Link

A community partner that redistributes food from restaurants and hotels to food pantries and shelters.

personTony Clark

An African-American history teacher from Bunker Hill College who co-facilitates the data activism class.

bookBlack Issues in Computing Conference

A conference where Rachel Walker published her research paper.

personCynthia Brazil

Research supervisor at MIT Media Lab for Rachel Walker's PhD.

personMatt Taylor

Research supervisor for Rachel Walker's project.

personBrion Measles

Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education whose work focuses on critical participatory action research for youth.

personLeah elamine

Professor at Harvard whose work on 'Liberation Tools' influenced Rachel Walker's research.

conceptDorchester

A neighborhood in Boston heavily affected by redlining and predominantly low-income with a large African-American population, experiencing issues with flooding.

softwareArcGIS

Geospatial analysis software used by students to create maps for their projects.

softwareGoogle's Teachable Machine

A tool used by students to learn about AI.

softwarePandas

A data analysis tool taught in the data activism program.

organizationCharles River Watershed Association

A community partner focused on environmental injustice.

personKatherine DeGazio

An advisor on Rachel Walker's master's thesis committee and instructor of a data activism class at MIT.

organizationMIT Future Makers

An organization partnering with Rachel Walker to make the curriculum accessible beyond the Boston area.