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UVA School of Data Science Launches Inaugural Spring Break Bootcamp for Middle School Students
The University of Virginia School of Data Science welcomed 20 middle school students from Charlottesville City, Albemarle County, and Culpeper County this spring for its inaugural Spring Break Data Science Bootcamp, a new in-person program designed to introduce young learners to the fundamentals of data science through creativity and collaboration.
Hosted by the School’s Office of Community Affairs and Applied Learning (CAAL), the three-day bootcamp offered a hands-on alternative to traditional technical instruction, focusing on how data can be used to explore ideas, tell stories, and connect communities.
At the center of the experience was a guiding question: What does play mean to you? Students generated their own responses, then worked together to analyze the data by identifying patterns, grouping themes, and interpreting their findings. Rather than coding their results, students translated them into three-dimensional forms, transforming abstract ideas into tangible expressions.
Throughout the week, students also engaged in a range of interactive activities designed to build foundational data science and artificial intelligence literacy. They practiced giving precise, logical instructions through a hands-on exercise in which they “programmed” a partner to make a sandwich, explored what qualifies as artificial intelligence through a matching activity, and examined how training data quality and bias can affect model performance using tools such as Fish or Trash and a webcam-based Pac-Man game.
Students discussed the ethical and societal implications of AI in high-stakes contexts, including college financial aid, medical diagnosis, hiring, and social media, and collected their own personal data to create visual stories through a bead-based project. The program also introduced the basics of generative AI, with students learning how these systems work and how to craft effective prompts.
The program culminated in a collaborative installation titled "How We Play," now on display in the School of Data Science building. The piece serves as both a piece of art and a dataset, offering a visual representation of how this group of students defines and experiences play.
Instruction was inspired in part by a TED Talk and a tour of data-driven artwork by artist in residence Nathalie Miebach, whose work demonstrates how complex information can be expressed through sculptural form.
The bootcamp reflects the School’s broader commitment to expanding access to data science education and engaging K-12 students in meaningful, real-world applications of data. As part of CAAL’s growing portfolio, the program builds on continued efforts to introduce learners of all ages to data science concepts through inclusive and interdisciplinary approaches.
With its inaugural cohort complete, the Spring Break Bootcamp signals a promising step forward in cultivating early interest in data science and empowering the next generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers.
CAAL regularly works with schools, local governments, nonprofits, and industry to create positive social impact. If you are interested in learning more, complete this short form or email sds_caal@virginia.edu.
