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 Instructions | Download files required for the lesson | |
| Duration: 00h 00m | 1. Why Visualize Data: Readings | |
| Duration: 00h 12m | 2. Data Visualization Now |
How can data visualization and creativity help answer important
scientific questions? Why did data visualization become predominant in the social sciences earlier than for physical and natural sciences? How did Du Bubois use data visualization to challenge false biological theories of racial inequality? How did team science help Du Bois’ team to create impactful visualizations for the 1900 Paris exposition? |
| Duration: 00h 32m | 3. Reading and Interpreting STEM Charts |
What are the major STEM chart types, all used by Du Bois? What universal design practices can make charts more accessible and effective? How did Du Bois use these practices effectively in one of his charts? |
| Duration: 00h 52m | 4. R coding interactives | |
| Duration: 01h 04m | 5. Python interactives | |
| Duration: 01h 16m | 6. Stata activity | |
| Duration: 01h 28m | 7. Learning Evaluation | |
| Duration: 01h 40m | Finish |
The actual schedule may vary slightly depending on the topics and exercises chosen by the instructor.
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:
- STEM Data Visualization + Du Bois in R
- STEM Data Visualization + Du Bois in Python (coming soon)
Prior to the interactive coding activities, we present “Episodes” on:
- 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.
- 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.