Seventh-grader Gabe Covington makes a presentation to fellow Carson Middle and Eagle Valley Middle School students who participated in the G.A.T.E. Challenge at the Carson City Library in Carson City, Nev., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. Students took part in critical thinking activities during the half-day workshop using local data about Carson City's demographics.
As a partner with the Carson City School District’s gifted and talented education program, the Carson City Library engaged 27 middle school students from Carson Middle and Eagle Valley middle schools. The half-day enrichment was designed to sharpen student’s critical thinking skills through activities that teach students to “see” the community with data.
“Have any of you seen the movie Moneyball?” asked Library Deputy Director, Tammy Westergard. “It’s a great movie based on a nonfiction book (titled Moneyball) about the Oakland A’s win of 20 consecutive games, an American League record. The secret to success was a whiz kid who joined the A’s management and analyzed the data to determine the best path to success. Yep, the wins came from understanding numbers and making adjustments in the field. Thinking about the data is what we’re doin’ today.”
During the workshop, activities included taking a survey, interpreting the survey results through charts and graphs and applying learned concepts to local data about Carson City’s demographics.
The workshop concluded with student groups making inferences and ultimately decisions as if they were acting in an adult professional role. The roles included the mayor, the sheriff, an elementary school principal, a doctor, a home builder and a retail business owner. The workshop culminated with student group presentations who shared out key observations.
“Now is not the time to be a builder in Carson City,” said seventh-grader Gabe Covington. “There are not enough people here who can afford to build a home and that is clear from the data.”
The workshop delivers on the library’s newly adopted strategic plan. The plan outlines emphasis on learning opportunities and access to technology.
For more information visit www.carsoncitylibrary.org.
