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A new collection of graphs, maps and charts organized by topic and type from our “What’s Going On in This Graph?” feature.

What do you notice?
What do you wonder?
What’s going on in this graph?

These three simple, open-ended questions are at the heart of “What’s Going On in This Graph?” — a weekly activity we’ve been running in collaboration with the American Statistical Association (A.S.A.) for the past six years. This feature invites students to analyze and interpret graphs previously published in The New York Times, first by noticing and wondering, then by creating a catchy headline to capture a graph’s main idea, and finally by considering what impact this data might have on them and their communities.

Classrooms around the country, and around the world, participate regularly — either by joining our public forum where students post comments and interact with our teacher moderators, or by having in-person discussions in their own schools. They analyze graphs about sports figures like LeBron James, environmental trends like rising temperatures, economic activity like price inflation, and political realities like the ages of world leaders.

If you’re new to the feature, here is how it works:

Most weeks during the school year, from September to May, we take a graph that has been published in The New York Times and ask students to share what they notice and wonder about it. This feature is completely free.

We post these graphs on Thursdays, and include them in our free weekly newsletter, so teachers can plan for the coming week.

Then, on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern time, we host a live-moderated discussion where students from around the world post their observations and analysis while moderators from A.S.A. facilitate the student conversation.

Your class can join the discussion any day of the week, not just Wednesdays, and students can even comment on graphs in our archive.

On Thursday afternoons, a week after we publish each graph, we add a “reveal” to the post which includes additional background about these graphs, shout-outs for great student headlines, and relevant statistical concepts.

You can find all the graphs we have ever published, organized by topic and graph type, in two collections: 69 graphs from 2017-2020 (published in 2020) and the 79 graphs from 2020-2023, listed below. You can also find also find them in this column, which continually updates as we publish new graphs each school year.

3 answers

It sounds like you're describing a fantastic educational initiative that helps students engage with data visualization and statistical analysis through interactive learning. This program not only encourages critical thinking skills but also fosters collaboration and discussion among students from various backgrounds. Here’s a deeper look at the implications of the program:

What Do You Notice?

  • The program promotes active engagement with real-world data, making statistics more relatable and understandable.
  • The structure—starting with "noticing" and "wondering"—facilitates critical thinking and encourages students to explore their curiosity.
  • The collaboration with the American Statistical Association lends credibility and support, enhancing the educational experience.
  • The use of graphs from The New York Times provides timely, relevant information that students can connect with current events and societal issues.
  • The initiative includes a live-moderated discussion, fostering a sense of community among students from different locations.

What Do You Wonder?

  • How do teachers integrate this program into their existing curricula? Are there specific subjects or lessons that pair well with the graphs?
  • What measures are in place to ensure that all students feel comfortable participating in the discussions, especially in a live format?
  • How do students' insights and analyses influence their understanding of the data and its implications in real-world contexts?
  • What trends or topics have been most engaging or thought-provoking for students over the years?
  • How do the moderators facilitate discussions to ensure they remain productive and focused?

What’s Going On in This Graph?

This phrase encapsulates the essence of data interpretation: understanding what the data represents, exploring its significance, and considering its broader impacts. Students are guided to think critically about the story behind the data, promoting a deeper understanding of statistics and its relevance in everyday life.

In conclusion, “What’s Going On in This Graph?” is an innovative approach to teaching statistics, encouraging students to look beyond mere numbers and engage with the narrative that data can tell. This can have a lasting impact on their analytical skills and how they perceive information in a data-driven world.

Rephrase this sentence in prek

Sure! Here’s a rephrased version of your sentence that suits a pre-kindergarten audience:

"What do you see in this picture, and what do you think it means?"