Delivering data science outreach

Posted on: 1 March 2024 by Dr Emily Johnson in March Posts 2024

Dr Emily Johnson is a Data Scientist from the Liverpool Shared Research Facilities Computational Biology Facility (CBF). Emily leads the CBF’s outreach efforts and is passionate about bridging the gap for underrepresented communities in the data science workforce. Here Emily tells us about a visit by pupils from Alsop High School.

Women make up only 20% of the data science workforce and 17% of the workforce in tech overall. This problem first arises at GCSE level where only 21% of students taking the computing GCSE are girls. Specific ethnic minorities are also underrepresented, particularly those from a Black / African / Caribbean / Black British background. Barriers to entering the field are systemic, but two key aspects are lack of role models and lack of exposure to the field. At the CBF, we use computer programming to address biological problems, though our staff have received different levels of formal training and experience prior to joining the facility. As such, we understand the challenges that those joining the field face, and use these experiences to deliver supportive, friendly programming workshops.

Inspiring the next generation

Before I started my job at the CBF I had never done any public outreach—though not through lack of interest! Shortly after joining, my manager, Dr Eva Camaano, asked me if there was anything I’d like to do to develop my career and I mentioned outreach. She was supportive and enthusiastic—at the time we were the only two women on our team of data scientists (though this has since doubled)—and Eva immediately encouraged me to apply for a Wellcome Trust grant.

Together we designed accessible material aimed at two groups of children: those aged 5-11 and those aged 13-15. We were successful in winning our grant, allowing us to develop the CBF Outreach Trial - a new programme consisting of exciting and engaging computing activities to inspire the next generation of data scientists, including with LEGO robots (which also proved a real hit with CBF staff during our familiarisation sessions!).

Next came the challenge of trialing and improving the material. It took several months to produce a mature version, which includes the history of programming—emphasising programmers from minority backgrounds—and guided activities using our equipment. The CBF Outreach Trial was delivered with two schools and received very positive feedback. One teacher reported:

The kids loved it… all day today they have been reliving moments from it. One Y11 is considering switching their A Level to computing, a Y8 is now looking ahead to computing at GCSE, and one Y9 turned up to my classroom at lunchtime with a Chromebook in tow, ready to build on yesterday’s inspiration.

Widening Participation

Our Outreach Trial was such a success that we have begun collaborating with the University’s central Widening Participation (WP) Team. The WP Team works with over 50 local Secondary and Primary schools that meet national WP criteria, such as above average % of students receiving Free School Meals, or high numbers of students from ‘Low Participation neighbourhoods’. This time they partnered with Alsop High School, bringing in 30 students.

This was our largest group yet so we needed several members of the CBF team to deliver the workshop. I introduced myself and emphasised my own non-linear career path. As a biologist, I never thought my job would involve programming full time. I talked about key figures in the history of programming, highlighting women’s contributions and was pleased to see young boys asking questions and being equally receptive to this information. We showed the students how to program a small computer to make images and sounds using ‘block-based programming’, an accessible way to introduce the rules of programming. I outlined potential careers programming could lead to, including my own.

Lego robots

Finally, we brought out the LEGO robots. The students immediately took to these, learning to program them in teams with the help of CBF staff. Once we showed them the ropes including how the robots move, make sounds and interact with the world around them, we hosted a short competition to see which team could write the best program to address a challenge of their choice. They all got stuck in, racing against the clock to produce their programs. These included robots that could escape from obstacles, dancing robots, and robots that could sing in their teacher’s voices! Following demonstrations, we awarded the best team with a prize to a round of cheers.

The students reported that they felt more confident programming afterwards and wished the session could be longer. Running these events is always so exciting for me. Outreach was important for me growing up and it gave me opportunities I might not have otherwise had. I love seeing the children go from tentative to excited across the course of a few hours and I especially love seeing them celebrate each other's success (and seeing staff members get invested in the success of their team).

The CBF will be continuing to run these events throughout the year, so please get in touch if you’re interested in learning about more on: cbf@liverpool.ac.uk