NJ Pathways Project Highlight: Discovering the Power of Data
Center of Workforce Innovation for Data & Computer Science
Camden County College, Middlesex College, County College of Morris
This Discovering the Power of Data pathway project aimed to enhance data science literacy and introduce high school students to Python programming. It was a collaborative effort between Camden County College, Middlesex College, and County College of Morris.
This pathway project was designed to engage high school students in data science-focused projects. It developed a comprehensive suite of educational materials, including lesson plans, lectures, exercises, projects, and labs. This initiative launched three 1-year, turnkey, dual-credit courses in Data Literacy, Introduction to Data Science, and Programming in Python, aligned with college-level coursework. These courses are being implemented during the 2024-25 academic year.
A key component of this project was its alignment with New Jersey’s Opportunity Agenda’s dual enrollment goal, developed by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, which supports ensuring every New Jersey high school student can graduate with at least six college credits. Discovering the Power of Data provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with curriculum focused on data science and Python programming—fields that are increasingly essential in today’s workforce.
The project strengthened the integration of dual credit courses by aligning college-level curricula with high school teaching. New courses were developed and approved, and high school faculty underwent structured training to ensure they were well-equipped to teach these advanced subjects. Ongoing coordination by dual credit team representatives from each college ensured that the courses were seamlessly incorporated into high school programs. This strategic alignment not only enriched high school academic offerings but also accelerated students’ preparedness for higher education and future careers in data-driven fields.
The project also fostered strong collaboration between the participating colleges, exemplified by the joint development and approval of new courses, as well as shared faculty training initiatives. Regular planning meetings ensured that course content and instruction delivery remained consistent across all institutions, while co-created educational materials and marketing presentations helped establish a unified approach. This cooperative effort not only maximized the strengths of each college but also ensured a standardized quality of education, enhancing the overall impact and scalability of the program across the broader high school and Community College educational landscape.