Data Adventures

Data Adventures

The Evaluation Study

Data Adventures is being rigorously evaluated through a two-year randomized controlled trial, examining how the curriculum supports students’ data literacy, confidence, and interest in STEAM.

About the study

The Data Adventures Study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) — the gold standard for measuring a program’s impact. Over the next two years, 60 teachers across multiple California school districts are taking part. The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program.

What we’re learning

The study explores whether a program like Data Adventures can:

  • Spark students’ interest in STEAM.
  • Build students’ confidence working with data.
  • Broaden access to data science instruction and address inequities.

How the study works

Participating teachers are randomly assigned to one of two groups, so we can compare classrooms that have taught Data Adventures with those that have not yet.

Fall DA Group

Teaches Data Adventures from September through February. Continues with class as usual for the rest of the year.

Spring DA Group

Continues with class as usual in the fall, then teaches Data Adventures from March through the end of the school year.

Study timeline

  1. Summer 2026

    Teachers complete Data Adventures professional learning, a baseline survey, and a study overview, then schedule planning calls with PRG. Teachers share class rosters and student eligibility information and send home parent opt-out consent forms.

  2. Start of the 2026–27 school year

    Teachers find out their group (Fall or Spring), and students complete a baseline survey.

  3. September – February

    The Fall DA Group teaches Data Adventures; the Spring DA Group continues with class as usual (the comparison group).

  4. February

    Students and teachers complete follow-up surveys.

  5. March – end of school year

    The Spring DA Group teaches Data Adventures; the Fall DA Group continues with class as usual.

  6. End of school year

    Students complete an end-of-year survey.

Who’s conducting the study

The study is led by the project’s evaluation team at The Policy & Research Group (PRG), in partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, San José State University, and WestEd.

Kelly Burgess

Lead Research Analyst

Ayla Oden

Lead Research Analyst

Katie Lass

Senior Research Analyst

Jada Jones

Jr. Research Analyst

Questions about the study?

Contact Jada Jones at The Policy & Research Group — [email protected] or 504.884.0918.