One of the new classes that we will be seeing this fall is Data Analytics and Big Data, which will be offered to juniors and seniors.

The class will be team taught by Mrs. Smoller and Mr. Cristofano and is built on the big data idea that “data drives decision.”

They want students to see new career options in an industry that is currently booming.

Mr. Cristofano said, “Young people need to be aware of how companies and business are collecting large amounts of data and use it in predictable ways.”

He added, “They can correlate it with what you’re buying.”

As of now there are no prerequisites for the class, but you have to be either a junior or senior to take the class. Mrs. Smoller and Mr. Cristofano are hoping for diverse students.

They want inquisitive, creative, open-minded, and autonomous students.

Mrs. Smoller said, “You don’t need to be a math star.”

Students will listen to guest speakers and learn case study skills. It will be a hands on, project/exploration-based class.

“No matter where you go, business is involved, you’re going to have to look at data and solve it,” is how Mr. Cristofano responded to being asked why it’s important for students to be involved in data.

He also talked briefly about science applications such as disease research and computers being able to scan your MRIs and being able to pull out things better if not the same as humans could.