Part 4 – Career Connections – Exploring Pathways Through Data (Educator PD – Grades 5-12)

Help students connect classroom learning to future opportunities. Educators will explore how data literacy, analytics, and evidence-based decision-making are shaping careers across industries—from sports and technology to healthcare, business, engineering, and artificial intelligence. 
Building on the inquiry and project-based learning experiences from previous modules, this session focuses on helping students understand the real-world relevance of the data skills they have developed throughout the Data Dunkers program. Educators will discover strategies for highlighting career pathways, engaging industry connections, and empowering students to see themselves as future innovators, analysts, and problem-solvers. 
Using basketball analytics as a launch point, participants will examine how professionals use data to drive decisions, improve performance, identify trends, and create solutions in a wide range of fields. 
During this session, educators will: 

• Explore careers that rely on data analysis, visualization, and evidence-based decision-making. 

• Learn how to connect classroom activities to real-world industry applications. 

• Investigate the role of data in sports, business, healthcare, technology, engineering, and emerging AI-driven careers. 

• Develop strategies for helping students identify their interests, strengths, and future pathways. 

• Explore ways to incorporate career exploration into data-focused learning experiences. 

• Discover resources and activities that showcase the growing demand for data literacy across industries. 

 
By the end of this session, educators will be equipped to help students make meaningful connections between classroom learning and future career opportunities. Participants will leave with practical strategies for inspiring students to see how data skills can open doors to a wide range of pathways and industries. 
Note: This session will follow Module 5: Career Connections from the Canvas Course.