Programme Overview

MEI provides curriculum enrichment, taught courses, professional development, and other support for schools and colleges from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, focusing on Data Science and AI.

The programme is delivered by a dedicated team of maths specialists who have experience in teaching maths and data skills in a variety of settings, including:

  • access to free, high-quality teaching and learning resources to enrich the curriculum
  • online courses and study materials, tasks and assessments for students
  • professional development opportunities and resources for teachers
  • engaging and relevant datasets for use in teaching and learning

“Data science is effecting a revolution in the way we do business, access knowledge, communicate, and understand the world. This revolution is underpinned by mathematics.”

ROYAL SOCIETY

Data Science: Educational Pathways

Data Science Taught Course
Post-16 Mathematics

Maths into Data Science and AI

An 11-week series of live online lessons delivered by MEI tutors, with supporting tasks and study materials, including student assessment and certification.

Students work with real data collected from various contexts, including the environment, health, commerce, and global development indicators. The course deepens students’ knowledge and skills, developing their understanding of statistics, data analysis, and machine learning, as well as how these ideas underpin Artificial Intelligence (AI).

For the final assessment, students build a model based on a real dataset and undertake a timed written examination

This course is run by the AMSP programme.

Introduction to Data Science
Post-16 Mathematics

Introduction to Data Science

A free, self-paced data science course that introduces your students to key ideas in data science and provides valuable insights into applications and career opportunities in this exciting field. Students will learn:

  • what is data science
  • how it works
  • how it is applied

This course uses the A level Mathematics large data sets for the AQA, Edexcel, MEI and OCR specifications as examples throughout the course. Extending students’ knowledge of the datasets, but students are not required to have used them previously.

In a world of constant technological change, MEI is committed to providing all students with the opportunity to explore data science. We believe this should start from a young age, and have worked on various projects to introduce data science to key stage 3 and 4 students.

Exploring Data with Technology
Key Stage 3 & 4

Exploring Data with Technology

The Exploring Data with Technology resources are designed to support awareness of basic concepts in machine learning and AI through the use of data. Teaching resources will be used by partnerships of schools in the project.

These resources are a collection of materials in CODAP for teachers of Key Stage 3 or 4 to use with students of AI-enabling subjects, such as mathematics and computing.

They were developed as part of our contribution to STEM Learning’s project with Deepmind to develop young people’s awareness and skills in artificial intelligence (AI).

Data Explorers Programme
Key Stage 3 & 4

Data Explorers Programme

In 2022, MEI participated in an international initiative to pilot data skills with Key Stage 3 students. The Data Explorers programme was sponsored by the technology company NetApp and developed in conjunction with TERC, the leading US-based STEM education organisation.

MEI led the UK pilot of an after-school club targeted at disadvantaged students to develop their data skills using the CODAP platform. Over 50 Key Stage 3 students took part in the UK pilot, working hands-on with social issues data and sharing insights in final presentations. We are grateful to the schools that took part, Lampton School and Northwood School.

Professional Development

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the future, and it’s built on the mathematics you’re already teaching.

Discover how to make those connections clear, engaging, and relevant for your students with The Maths of Data Science and AI. A free professional development course designed specifically for A level and Further Mathematics teachers. Across five online sessions and one in-person study day, you’ll explore how data analysis, machine learning, and AI are connected through core mathematical concepts.

This course is run by MEI’s Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP)

Find out more
Data science

The Big Earth Data Project

MEI has developed a suite of hands-on activities to help students develop skills in exploring large Earth observation datasets while teaching them about the measurements that satellites can take.

Funded by the UK Space Agency

 

Engage your students with contexts such as climate change, the effects of humans on Earth, and emergency disaster response as well as:

  • Deepen students understanding of the statistical elements of the Key Stage 3-5 curriculum.
  • Introduce students to large data sets.
  • Expose students to the opportunities and possibilities they can access as mathematicians.
Explore the Big Earth Data Project

Frequently asked questions

Your common Data Science questions and concerns answered

All of our Data science courses and resources are free to all students and teachers.

If you would like to discuss how MEI can support you in your teaching journey, then please Contact us here

Phone Number: +44 (0)1225 776776 

The Maths into AI course is run by the AMSP programme. You can find out more about the course and register your interest via the AMSP website here.

The Exploring Data with Technology resources, the Big Earth Data Project and the Introduction to Data Science course are available all year round, via our website here:

Exploring Data with Technology resources

Big Earth Data Project

Introduction to Data Science course

Your support is important

We have been able to develop our data science work though the generosity of donor and project funding.

Please get in touch to find out more about our work in this area and how you can support it.

Phone: +44(0)1225 716495

Contact Us