Digital Micro-credentials 9-12 - Intro to Data Science

Overview

Are you curious about how data shapes the decisions that affect our health, communities, environment, and everyday lives? Data for Good: Seeing Patterns, Asking Better Questions is an immersive Data Science microcredential for Grade 10–12 students interested in using data to understand real-world challenges.

You’ll explore how data scientists ask questions, identify patterns, evaluate evidence, and communicate insights to support better decision-making. Through hands-on activities, you’ll learn how data powers artificial intelligence, influences organizations, and helps people respond to complex social and environmental issues.

Working alongside industry professionals and a real-world client, you’ll use accessible data analysis and visualization tools to investigate a challenge connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll then transform your findings into a compelling data story and present your recommendations to the client.

You’ll connect with women working in data-related fields and explore university and career pathways across a range of sectors. No prior experience is required—just curiosity about how data can be used to understand problems and create positive change.

This is a 12-hour program over 2 days.

Availability: All students in Grades 9-12, no experience required! A program fee applies.

Course Structure, Outcomes and Delivery

The program will take place over two consecutive in-person days at the MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto.

On the first day, you’ll build foundational skills through hands-on, industry-led activities. You’ll explore how data and AI inform decisions, practise analyzing and visualizing data, and learn how to turn patterns into meaningful insights. You’ll also meet women working and studying in data-related fields and hear about their educational and professional pathways.

On the second day, you’ll work in a small team with mentors and a real-world client whose work addresses a social, health, or environmental challenge. Your team will frame a problem, analyze a relevant dataset, create visualizations, and develop an evidence-informed data story or recommendation.

By the end of the program, you will have:

Developed foundational skills in data analysis and visualization
Explored the relationship between data, artificial intelligence, and decision-making
Considered data quality, bias, privacy, and responsible data use
Used data to investigate a real-world challenge
Collaborated with industry mentors and other students
Communicated findings through a clear and compelling data story
Gained insight into university programs and careers involving data science and analytics

Delivery:

This micro-credential will be 100% in person and will take place at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.
It will run a total of 12 hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm across 2 days.

2025-26 Schedule & Fees

Intro to Data Science – Fall or Winter Sessions

2026–2027 Schedule & Fees

Program dates: February 4 & 5, 2027
Location: MaRS Discovery District, Toronto
Additional information about the client challenge, industry mentors, and participating organizations will be shared before the program.
Meals are not included. Students may bring a lunch or purchase food from vendors connected to the MaRS building.

Program Fee: $500 and billed to your student account. Refunds will not be possible once registered.

Please ask about financial assistance, if required.