From March 4 to April 10, 2025, as part of Activity 5: Teaching and Training (Second Cycle) of the Erasmus+ project Erasmus+ project DIRECTORS – DIgital data-dRiven EduCaTion fOR kidS, the Dutch project team continued their efforts to enhance data literacy in primary education. This time, the workshops 1, 2 and 3 were held at two groups 7 in Primary School De Triangel in Delfgauw, and workshop 2 in three groups 8 of the Primary School De Keizerskroon in Pijnacker. A total of ninety pupils participated in at least two of the workshops..
As in the first cycle, these workshops addressed three levels of data literacy – basic, moderate, and advanced skills – adapting activities to the pupils’ grade level. The aim was to strengthen the children’s understanding of gathering, organizing, and interpreting data, using fun and age-appropriate tasks.
First Workshop – Seventh Grade (10-11 years): Basic Data Skills
Second-grade pupils revisited the idea of connecting their everyday experiences with the concept of data. To start, they estimated at how they use smartphones – favourite apps, games, and approximated the amount of time spent on each. Pupils then created simple data cards, which helped them learn about grouping, cleaning and analyzing data, transforming it in the end into a clear, visual display in a form of word clouds.
In the next step, they moved on to collecting actual data from their phones and entering it into a shared dataset. By comparing their own data with the class totals, pupils discovered the significance of accurate data input and the importance of privacy/anonymity when sharing information online.
Second Workshop – Seven and Eight Grade (10-12 years): Moderate Data Skills
Seven and eight grade pupils explored the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), learning how to represent real-world features on maps. In their first workshop, they used an orthophoto map as a base for “collecting” data — similar to the vectorization process in GIS. Working in groups, they traced various elements of the school environment (e.g., buildings, roads, and playgrounds) onto transparent sheets, with each sheet acting as a separate “layer.” Stacking these layers together produced a complete map and demonstrated how GIS digitally organizes and analyses spatial data.
In the second workshop, pupils applied their GIS knowledge through a geocache escape room–style game called “The Mystery of the Concierge.” They used GIS layers and digital data to solve puzzles, while also applying spatial operations like buffering and data filtering. By following specific geographic coordinates and piecing together clues step by step, and using GPS functionality on a smart device they managed to navigate to the location of the missing Concierge.
Third Workshop – Seventh Grade: Advanced Data Skills
Seventh-grade pupils delved into real-world data collection and quality assessment using various measurement techniques. They learned about and experimented with various methods of measuring steps and distances – manual counting, mobile apps, smart watches, and GPS-tracked walks. During the first workshop, they tested a laser scanner, measuring tape, step counter approaches indoors, noticing some differences in accuracy among methods.
For the second part, the pupils ventured outside, measuring longer distances near the school with various devices (mobile phones, step counter) while also recording GPX tracks on their devices. Back in the classroom, they compared the various measurements techniques and discussed why technology, although helpful, must always be approached with a critical mindset.
