In room B244 at Gabrielino High School, a unique class is changing the way students view data. Introduction to Data Science, taught by Bryan Chao, offers students an engaging introduction to the world of coding, data analysis, and real-world problem-solving.
“Data science is about teaching students to read and understand the story behind the numbers,” Chao explained. “Students learn the basics of coding, how to read graphs, and understand what the data is telling us.”
The class uses “R,” a popular coding language used across industries such as business, healthcare, and technology to help students organize, clean, and visualize data. Unlike traditional math classes that focus on equations and formulas, Introduction to Data Science allows students to apply mathematical concepts to understanding current trends and issues.
The course was introduced at Gabrielino to offer a math option for students who may not be inclined toward traditional STEM fields. According to Chao, the San Gabriel Unified School District wanted to provide an alternative that still equipped students with valuable, transferable skills.
“Data science is a tool that is used in many industries today, and it helps students see how math and coding are applied to solve real-world problems,” Chao stated. “Students stand to benefit from my class, no matter what career they are seeking.”
Students have analyzed data sets related to the CDC, election polls, and even the daily routines of their classmates. Senior Kenneth Chau decided to take the class in order to be a better pilot.
“Data science is important for my desired career because understanding data and how to analyze it is key in fields like aviation, where systems and software depend on precise calculations,” Chau stated.
Junior Valerie Leung shares Chau’s appreciation for the real-world applications of the class.
“As someone who wants to go into business, I wanted to learn more about data analysis. This class has given me a strong foundation in how to interpret data, which will be useful in analyzing stocks or other trends,” Leung stated.
The projects done in Data Science are diverse and push students to think critically and creatively. Prior to the 2024 election, the class worked with real election data. “We made predictions based on the data, and it was cool to see how close my predictions were to the actual results,” senior Dylan Luong said.
While the class emphasizes coding, it simaltaneously requires students to refine their problem-solving skills through real world applications. Junior Isaac Wu created a project where students tracked and analyzed their eating habits.
“It was eye-opening to see how much of a routine I have with food. I noticed that I eat a protein bar almost every day before 4th period,” Wu stated, laughing. “When we had to log our daily routines and create codes to reflect them, I struggled at first. There were so many small details to get right, like capitalization in the code. It taught me how precision and attention to detail are important.”
As students learn coding, data analysis, and visualization, they prepare for careers in fields where these skills are essential. Whether they are analyzing data in business or technology, Introduction to Data Science equips students with the tools they need to succeed.
“By the end of the course, my students have a deeper understanding of how to take real-world data, clean it up, and present it in a meaningful way,” Chao shared. “They leave knowing that they can apply these skills in their lives and many different careers.”
As the class enters its third pilot year, Introduction to Data Science continues empowering Gabrielino students to understand, analyze, and transform the world around them through the lens of data.
