Data Nuggets are activities that bring current scientific research into the classroom, thus giving students the chance to work with real data – and all its complexities. Data Nuggets give students practice interpreting quantitative information and make claims based on evidence. The standard format of each Nugget provides a brief background to a researcher and their study system, and a small, manag
eable dataset. Students are then challenged to answer a scientific question, using the dataset to support their claim, and are guided through the construction of graphs to facilitate data interpretation. Graphing and content levels allow for differentiated learning for students with any science, math, or reading background. Because of their simplicity and flexibility, Data Nuggets can be used across grades and throughout the school year as students build their quantitative abilities. Data Nuggets are built around data from recent and ongoing research, providing several benefits for researcher and student alike. Scientists who create Data Nuggets will improve their outreach and communication skills as they face the challenge of conveying the story in their data to a broad audience. Data Nuggets help broaden the impact of a scientist by simultaneously sharing their research and increasing scientific literacty in society. The use of current research has the added benefit of capturing the attention of students by engaging them with more than just the conclusions of a study, but the story and process of the researcher behind the ideas and data. While using Data Nuggets, students get excited about a research topic while increasing their quantitative abilities and competency with the process of science.
