Project Grant 2302794

This Project Grant award of $479,995 was made by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Information and Intelligent Systems under the CFDA program "Computer and Information Science and Engineering." The funding supports a collaborative research project between the University of Alabama and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in partnership with learning scientists from SRI International. The goal of the project is to develop and test "Story Studio," a platform that aims to enhance the ability of data science educators to effectively teach data storytelling skills to their students at scale. The project features four phases: 1) extracting knowledge from data science professionals, developing design patterns, and engaging educators and students to vet the Story Studio concept; 2) iterative development and small-scale beta testing of the platform's basic architecture; 3) expanding beta testing to include more advanced Story Studio functionalities like intelligent recommendations and assessments; and 4) conducting classroom pilot studies at two campuses to evaluate the tool's effectiveness in improving students' data storytelling competencies. The research products and software developed through this award will be disseminated through education and outreach activities, as well as shared openly to contribute to learning science and analytics research in data storytelling.