PATHWAY CONNECTION

The Pilot Summer Institute for Data Science was implemented by County College of Morris and Camden County College to build student awareness and interest in the growing field of data science. Hosted separately by each institution in Summer 2024, both pilot programs offered four-day, hands-on learning experiences for local high school students.

At Camden County College, 17 students from 10 area high schools participated in sessions covering Excel, R, Python, and Tableau. Activities included AI-generated song analysis, natural language processing, regression analysis, and data visualization. Students rated the program an average of 4.47 out of 5, with 80% stating they would recommend it to a peer.

County College of Morris welcomed approximately 25 students, focusing on similar technologies and projects. Gamification strategies were used to boost engagement. Both institutions used the pilot to refine curriculum, test engagement strategies, and gather feedback. Student interest in learning more about data science and continuing their studies through Community College courses increased as a result of the program.

This pilot pathway connection proved successful in offering an accessible entry point into data science and provided a model for future expansion of summer programming aligned with career-focused learning.