Summary and Setup

Supported by the National Science Foundation, the STEM Data Visualization + Du Bois site publishes modules for learning modern programming tools for data visualization in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), including the social sciences.

Through the modules, students learn to read, recreate, and adapt scientific charts created by W.E.B. Du Bois and his Laboratory for the 1900 Paris World Expo. The charts visualized survey data that challenged false theories of inherent biological differences between races. The original charts are preserved in the Library of Congress for their beauty, innovation, and scientific rigor.

Setup

Modules include coding interactives in R and Python that you open and use with any web browser without any software installations on your own computer. These activities provide code blocks, often with prompts for users to fill in the blank or edit code before clicking execute. These activities are ideal for beginners who do not yet want to install and learn to use a code editor and graphical user interface (GUI) on your own computer. The interactives use our Jupyter Lite with Du Bois Notebooks.

If you already use a code editor and GUI like R Studio, Sublime, or Jupyter Lab, we recommend that you instead use our language specific Lesson sites that use live coding exercises:

Prior to the interactive coding activities, we present “Episodes” on:

  1. Data Visualization Now: This covers how visualization can be a tool for scientific discovery in STEM research. The lesson examines how Du Bois turned to visualization as a tool for scientific analysis and communication to challenge false theories of racial inequality.
  2. Reading and Interpreting Charts: This introduces the four major chart types employed by Du Bois that are still in use today. It covers why we use particular chart types for specific types of data.



The STEM Data Visualization + Du Bois site is built with the The Carpentries Workbench.