The curriculum, which will initially target middle and high school students with potential expansion to lower grades, is designed to be open source, allowing for modification and adaptation to different educational contexts. The funding will primarily compensate Boston Public Schools teachers for their involvement in designing the curriculum. The panelists, including key figures from the Department of Innovation and Technology, highlighted the curriculum’s potential impact on students and educators in Boston, emphasizing its accessibility through the city’s open data portal.

During the meeting, the councilors engaged in a thorough inquiry about the curriculum development process, including the consultation with Data Science for Everyone, a group with national and international expertise in K-12 data science education. The panelists revealed their efforts to ensure that the curriculum remains adaptable and open for enhancement by other educational providers. Questions also arose concerning the tracking of career trajectories for students who engage with the data science curriculum, and the panelists acknowledged the potential for providing professional development for teachers in data science and data analytics.

The Department of Innovation and Technology’s role in supporting educational infrastructure was also discussed, with references to its involvement in providing internet connectivity and supporting purchasing systems and payroll for schools. The councilors expressed enthusiasm for the curriculum’s expansion and asked about the staffing for the new role. The panelists mentioned the employment of existing staff and a project manager to oversee the curriculum implementation, along with the allocation of teacher stipends.

Furthermore, the councilors explored ways to support innovative curriculum development, including the approval of grants and fostering partnerships with the community to create a world-class innovation and technology department. The potential for partnerships with universities and colleges to create pathways for students was also a topic of interest.